[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Progressive gelding Westriver Miracle passed the toughest test of his career with flying colours at Belmont on Saturday when taking out the Free Entry To Belmont Park Handicap (1600m).
The lightly-raced All American five-year-old handled a steep rise in class by elevating from 60+ midweek grade to a 72+ Saturday assignment, aided by a weight-drop of five kilograms.
Starting on the third line of betting at $6, Westriver Miracle settled on the outside of race-leader and second-favourite No Apology ($2.60) in running before looking destined to finish second midway down the straight.
The big gelding then begun to rally under the urgings of rider Lucy Warwick and dug deep to level up to the leader and the pair hit the line locked together, with Westriver Miracle getting the right bob and the official verdict by a nose.
Miss Maranta ($17) finished two-and-a-half lengths away in third place.
Westriver Miracle has made a rapid progression through his classes since joining the Pearce Racing stable this preparation, landing three wins and a narrow runner-up finish from his four starts, taking his career record to 10 races for five wins, two minor placings and $109,090 in stake earnings.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Westriver Miracle’s Belmont win.