62-Year-Old Colt Wins Belmont Stakes Senior Event

ELMONT, NY—Dark Star, the colt best known for his victory at the 1953 Kentucky Derby, made it to the winner’s circle once again Friday, when the 62-year-old earned his fifth victory in the Senior Belmont Stakes. “He’s not the kind of horse you’re ever going to retire. He’s a competitor,” said jockey Felix Meneses, who led Dark Star to the win in a record 34 minutes and 19 seconds. “He tried to lie down and sleep there for a while on the backstretch, but once I got the whip into him, he was good to go. I mean, his breathing was kind of ragged and he was leaning against the rail the whole time, but he wanted this win, and he got it.” Three of the 10 horses in the field, including 1941 Triple Crown winner Whirlaway, perished from exhaustion during the running.