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CNN Sunday Morning

No Triple Crown for War Emblem

Aired June 09, 2002 - 07:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In the 134th running of the Belmont Stakes, it wasn't even close for War Emblem. So make that no Triple Crown winner in two dozen years. Here's CNN's Matt Morrison.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT MORRISON, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT (on camera): It took three years and two impressive victories for War Emblem to reach the brink of thoroughbred history, but in just two and a half minutes, his majesty faded in the Belmont Stakes, and trainer Bob Baffert knew it was over much sooner than that.

BOB BAFFERT, TRAINER, WAR EMBLEM: It was over at the start. And at least he tried there. He tried to make a run of it, but, you know, I think it was great for racing and a morale for New York, you know, to see the fans. It makes me feel proud that -- you know, life goes on.

MORRISON: The favorite wasn't even a factor down the stretch, fading to eighth place on the board and conceding the limelight to a 70-to-1 long shot named Sarava.

GARY GRAKE, OWNER, SARAVA: It was a surprise, but it wasn't a surprise because the horse was touting himself to us.

KENNETH MCPEEK, TRAINER, SARAVA: I'm not totally surprised. OK, this colt's been doing great and I think that the distance was a non- issue with -- he's just -- he's a galloper with a good turn of foot and we just didn't know how good he was and of course nobody did until you throw them in the ring with these kind and he just -- he proved himself.

MORRISON: A $2 bet on the winner returned $142.50, and a 3-year- old colt named for a Brazilian show tune makes his mark on the thoroughbred world as the biggest long shot ever to win the Belmont Stakes.

War Emblem's place in history won't be as the 12th Triple Crown winner, rather as the 16th thoroughbred to fall short in the longest race in the series.

Matt Morrison, CNN, Elmont, New York.

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