Danica Patrick First Woman in 102 Years to Win Belmont Stakes

Danica Patrick shocked the racing world today by announcing that she was leaving the IRL to take up horse racing. It was a good move for Patrick, as she became the first female in 102 years to win the Belmont stakes. Patrick battled Curlin in a breathtaking stretch run, edging the Preakness winner by a nipple.

A filly hadn't won the Belmont Stakes in over a century. "My hat is off to Danica Patrick," said Curlin's trainer, Steve Asmussen. I think she could win in Trotting, Pacing, IRL, NASCAR, or anywhere, really.

No one was happier with the victory than trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez. "It's a special feeling now matter when you do it, but when you do it with a filly for the first time in 102 years it's really special," Pletcher said. And that's a direct quote.

Danica Patrick became the third female to capture the Belmont -- Ruthless took the first running in 1867 and Tanya won in 1905. Only 22 have ever tried the Belmont