In a virtual replay of the Pennine Ridge five weeks earlier, Catholic Boy snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and arch-rival Analyze It in the closing strides to register a narrow victory in the $1 million Belmont Derby.  European invader Hunting Horn finished another 3/4 of a length further back in third.

As was the case in the Pennine Ridge, Catholic Boy set the pace, relinquished control to Analyze It through the stretch then re-asserted himself, this time along the rail, to prove best at the end. Hunting Horn loomed boldly outside the top pair down the lane but could not muster the necessary late response.

Catholic Boy, a son of More Than Ready, is owned in partnership by Madaket Stables LLC and Robert La Penta and trained by Jonathan Thomas. He paid $12.20.