SC Wins the Belmont and Stuns the Thoroughbred World

South Carolina’s thoroughbred country won bragging rights when the dust settled following the running of the 145th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

Finishing the mile-and-a-half in less than a tick above 2:30, Aiken’s Palace Malice crossed the line first and won lucky gamblers $29.60 on a $2 bet to win.

Out of Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable in Aiken, Palace Malice came up alongside Oxbow and surged to the front for a 3 1/4 length victory.

When asked if Palace Malice’s Belmont win was Dogwood Stable’s finest hour, Campbell responded, “I don’t know what would beat it. It comes at, you know, what is certainly the twilight of my career, to put it euphemistically. So I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s a race that means a lot to me. I like the tradition of it, and I’ve come to the Belmont many years, and yeah, it’s hot stuff.”

Campbell even hinted that after the Belmont win there might even be another book in his future. “If there’s another book in me this will push it on a little bit.”

Campbell’s previous books include: LIGHTNING IN A JAR: CATCHING RACING FEVER: A THOROUGHBRED OWNER’S GUIDE, RASCALS AND RACEHORSES: A SPORTING MAN’S LIFE, and MEMOIRS OF A LONGSHOT…A RIPROARIOUS LIFE.

Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, who was atop the pride of Aiken for the race, had nothing but praise for his horse and predicted a successful future. “If he could come back and keep this performance a time or two, he’s going to rank way up there. Some big races left for him.”