What no other horse was able to accomplish in four straight stakes dating back to July 3 – beating City Zip – the stewards finally did yesterday at Belmont Park, disqualifying the Carson City colt after he finished first by a nose over Burning Roma in the Grade 1, $200,000 Futurity.

Bidding to put a hammerlock on the 2-year-old championship following consecutive victories in the Tremont, Sanford, Saratoga Special and Hopeful, City Zip, favored at 3-2, opened daylight in midstretch and appeared home free.

But longshot Burning Roma, easy winner of his first two races in Maryland, had recovered well after getting wiped out at the break and was flying down the center of the track. City Zip, under left-hand whipping by jockey Jose Santos, suddenly ducked out and body-slammed Burning Roma yards before the wire. The stewards had no choice but to reverse the order of finish.

“It’s a situation you see with a lot of 2-year-olds,” Santos said. “I probably hit him a little too hard, he ducked out and the damage was done. I feel the stewards were right.

“It’s a shame, because I think he’s the best. Even though his number was taken down, he deserves a lot of respect. He dug in and it’s my fault he got disqualified.”

Burning Roma, ridden by Rick Wilson, ran the mile in 1:37.4 to pay $37 and top a $125 exacta. Scorpion finished third.

Yesterday’s Grade 1, $200,000 Matron for 2-year-old fillies also had a bizarre finish.

Unbeaten filly sensation Raging Fever, the heavy 1-5 choice, battled for the early lead with Major Wager, put her away at the top of the stretch and drew off to a seven-length lead, looking like she’d win by twice that.

But Dancinginmydreams, after trailing by more than 15 lengths, had turned on the after-burners and was coming like a rocket in the final furlong under Pat Day. Jerry Bailey, hearing her footsteps, went to work furiously on Raging Fever after gearing her down in midstretch, and it was just enough for the favorite to hang on by a nose.

“At the wire I knew we hadn’t won,” said Day, “but one jump past it we were there.”

Bailey, a sheepish grin on his face, said, “I concentrated so much on shutting her engines off, I guess I went overboard. She pricked her ears and thought the race was over, and I couldn’t get her roused again. I’ll have to make a little adjustment next time.”

Raging Fever ran the mile in 1:38.1, paying $2.40 to key a $6.70 exacta. Illusoria finished 93/4 lengths back in third.