Heartbreak Hotel Still Open

Earlier this week, I wrote on the "The Rail" that the Belmont Stakes could easily be renamed The Heartbreak Hotel. I was hopeful that Mine That Bird would not take up residence at said establishment, but jockey Kent Desormeaux had other ideas.

Desormeaux (left), a two-time resident of The Hotel with Real Quiet (1998) and Big Brown (2008), made a beautifully timed move with Summer Bird to wear down both Mine That Bird and Dunkirk in the final furlong.

"Last year's Belmont was like swallowing a spoon sideways," Desormeaux said. "I didn't think he could lose."

The irony for Desormeaux was he had never ridden Summer Bird but learned his lesson from his two major disappointments. In addition, there was no pressure on the Louisiana native as his mount was one of the longest shots coming into the race.

That carefree attitude combined with winning three races earlier in the day was just the elixir that Desormeaux needed to exorcise his Belmont demons.

Desormeaux ensured that his fellow Louisiana native, Calvin Borel, would have the same Belmont nightmares that he suffered with over the years as he kept Mine That Bird off the rail in the early going.

"I actually was thinking if Borel was going to beat me, he was going to have come around me," Desormeaux said. "It's a Louisiana life-long lesson."

Borel guided Mine That Bird wide on the far turn as opposed to his customary Calvin "Bo-Rail" ride. That move inevitably compromised Mine That Bird's chances down the grueling Belmont stretch.

It has been 31 years since we've seen a Triple Crown winner and you would think we are overdue for one. At this rate, I might be collecting Social Security before we see a Triple Crown winner.

And the Heartbreak Hotel needs a break. It's already overflowing with residents.