Essential Quality wins the Belmont Stakes

By Alaa Elassar, CNN

Essential Quality, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Luis Saez, won the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

The horse was the early betting favorite to win the race and finished ahead of Hot Rod Charlie and the 146th Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer, who finished in second and third place, respectively.

This year’s race did not include Medina Spirit, the Kentucky Derby winner, after the horse failed a post-Derby drug test. The New York Racing Association this month temporarily suspended Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert from entering any horses in races at the track that is host to the Belmont Stakes.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.