Union Rags, right, puts a head in front of Paynter during a head-to-head stretch battle in the Belmont Stakes. Union Rags prevailed by a neck Saturday at Belmont Park.

Horses break from the gate during the start of the 144th Belmont Stakes.

A overhead view of the field just after the start of the Belmont Stakes.

The field heads past the grandstand for the first time in the Belmont Stakes. The 1-1/2-mile race is one lap around the massive Belmont Park layout.

Jockey John Velazquez rides Union Rags, right, to victory over Paynter, with jockey Mike Smith, in the Belmont Stakes.

Jockey John Velazquez celebrates after guiding Union Rags to victory in the Belmont Stakes. Velazquez replaced Julien Leparoux in the irons after Union Rags finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey John Velazquez smiles aboard Union Rags after their win in the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park. The New York-based rider also won the Belmont in 2007, aboard Rags to Riches.

John Velazquez celebrates aboard Union Rags after winning the Belmont Stakes.

Union Rags owner Phyllis Wyeth after Union Rags won the 144th running of Belmont Stakes. Wyeth, injured in a 1962 auto accident, bred Union Rags. After selling him, she felt compelled to buy him back because she had recurring dreams he would be a champion.

Union Rags trainer Michael Matz and jockey John Velazquez old up the trophy in the winners circle. Matz also trained 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

I'll Have Another, wearing the No. 11 saddle cloth he was assigned for the Belmont Stakes, is walked through the paddock past a statue of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat before his his retirement ceremony Saturday. I'll Have Another was retired Friday because of injury, one day before he was to attempt to sweep the Triple Crown series. Instead, he was honored with a retirement ceremony in the Belmont Park winner's circle.

Trainer Doug O'Neill unsaddles I'll Have Another for the final time, during a retirement ceremony in the winner's circle before the Belmont Stakes.