ELMONT, New York, 11 June — Point Given, ridden by Gary Stevens, won the 133rd Belmont Stakes by 12 1/4 lengths from Preakness Stakes runner-up A P Valentine on Saturday.

Point Given’s victory in the 1 1/2 mile race meant he became the 17th horse to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and established him as the three-year-old champion. Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos finished third.

Point Given is owned by Prince Ahmad ibn Salman, chairman of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group. Prince Ahmad received the Belmont Stakes winnner’s trophy from New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, in the presence of former US President Bill Clinton.

Clinton and Hillary congratulated Prince Ahmad on the historic win and praised the Saudi prince for his active participation in American races. Clinton described the victory as an unprecedented achievement in international classic races.

The former president also commended Point Given as a marvelous charger. He affirmed Prince Ahmad’s statement that “coordinated team work always leads to victory”.

Prince Ahmad, who is the first non-American owner to win two American classics, said he was presenting the cup to the people of Saudi Arabia.

With this victory, Point Given is the 17th horse to win both the Belmont and Preakness. The win also strengthens the horse’s position as a world champion.

Gary Stevens, one of the world’s premier jockeys, said Point Given is the fastest horse he has ever ridden. “Today he was a superstar and the fastest horse,” said Stevens. “I can’t help but think what might have been if he had won the Derby. He could have had a (Triple) Crown next to his name. But it’s a great day for both of us.”

It was trainer Bob Baffert’s first Belmont victory, at his fourth attempt. Though Stevens had been instructed by Baffert to wait to make his move, Point Given — who was fifth in the Kentucky Derby on May 5 — broke eagerly and was full of running. The pair raced five-wide into the clubhouse turn, just off a moderate pace set by Balto Star.

Approaching the far turn, Point Given went wide to take the lead with A P Valentine, under Victor Espinoza, following his move. Monarchos, well back early, began his rally behind the leaders.

When Point Given turned for home he burst clear of his rivals and lengthened his lead impressively through the stretch to finish 12 1/4 lengths ahead of A P Valentine, who held off Monarchos by 3/4 of a length. Dollar Bill was fourth.

Point Given clocked a time of two minutes 26.40 seconds, the fourth fastest in Belmont history.

“I tried to follow Point Given,” said Espinoza. “With half a mile to go I couldn’t beat the other horse. I rode him hard for second. I tried to break sharp and get position. At the three-eighths pole I saw (Point Given) go in front. With a sixteenth to go he was too far in front of me.

“My horse tried hard and kept trying,” said Jorge Chavez, who rode Monarchos. “At the five-eighths pole I thought I might be able to catch the leader, but he just kept going and going.” Invisible Ink, Thunder Blitz, Buckle Down Ben and Balto Star completed the finishing order.

Impressive Aquarelliste wins French Oaks

In Chantilly, France, Aquarelliste produced an impressive performance to win the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane-Hermes, by a length and a half yesterday.

Dominique Boeuf took a calculated gamble in dropping the Daniel Wildenstein-owned filly back to last place to avoid any traffic problems.

The horse’s class did the rest as it enabled her to come with a trouble-free run on the outside. Striking the front inside the last 200 meters, the powerful Aquarelliste put the front-running Nadia to the sword.