Trainer Mark Casse won the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday but there was a surprise when it was the Joel Rosario-ridden Sir Winston who proved too strong for his rivals in the 10 horse field.

After a ground saving rail trip, the son of Awesome Again was pulled out in the stretch and held off all challengers.

Favourite Tacitus stayed on without looking a threat for second. Outsider Joevia made most of the running and kept on well for third.

Casse's Preakness winner War Of Will raced wide and suffered a little interference when his stable companion moved out from the rail at the top of the stretch, but he found little thereafter and faded, finishing ninth.

RIGHT: Sir Winston and Joel Rosario with his garland of flowers

The winner had been beaten in the Withers, Tampa Bay Derby and Bluegrass already this season but had finished well when second in the trial, the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont, last month. It was a second Belmont win for his rider who also won with Tonalist.

RIGHT: Mitole

Earlier on the card, Godolphin's stalwart Thunder Snow was unable to get to grips with Mitole in the Met Mile and gave way late to second placed McKinzie who was denied a run when beginning his challenge. Mitole was extending his winning steak to six for Steve Asmussen.

Last year's top filly, Midnight Bisou had no trouble under Mike Smith in winning the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps.

Midnight Bisou and Mike Smith

Top turf horse Bricks And Mortar led home a Chad Brown one-two-three in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes, and brought his tally to eight wins from 10 starts for the son of Giant's Causeway.

On a star-studded card there were also Grade 1 wins for Chad Brown with Rushing Fall in the Just A Game for older fillies and Guarana in the Acorn beating Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Expresss, World Of Trouble took the Grade 1 Jaipur Invitational over six furlongs for Jason Servis and Hog Creek Hustle held on to the Woody Stephens, despite causing some interference.