Stakes both missing the Belmont, the favorites became the runners-up in those races, Ice Box and First Dude. Fly Down was also highly regarded given his performance in the Dwyer. First Dude went to the early lead, while jockey Mike Smith kept Drosselmeyer a few lengths behind on the outside of the pack. Drosselmeyer started his drive around the far turn and moved to the lead in mid-stretch, then held off a closing rush from Fly Down. Elliott Walden, the racing manager of WinStar Farm, credited Smith for the change in tactics that allowed Drosselmeyer to make a sustained drive. "We went to Mike because we felt he would get him in a rhythm and keep him running," said Walden. This horse really kicked hard turning for home and finished strong." It was Smith's first win in the Belmont and Mott's first ever Triple Crown race win. Drosselmeyer was in training for the Jim Dandy Stakes when he came back walking stiffly after a workout on July 4. He missed the rest of his three-year-old season. Drosselmeyer finally returned to racing on March 5, 2011 when he finished fourth in the Challenge Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He followed up with a fifth place finish in the Skip Away Stakes on April 3, then won the 2011 One Count Stakes on May 15 by a neck over Birdrun. Birdrun then turned the tables by winning the Brooklyn Handicap on June 10. Mott next decided to try Drosselmeyer on the turf in the Sword Dancer Invitational on August 13. Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Drosselmeyer ran uncharacteristically close to the pace but tired in the stretch to finish seventh. In the Jockey Club Gold Cup on October 1, Drosselmeyer rebounded with a second place finish behind Flat Out over a muddy track at Belmont Park. He had rallied from fifth with a sustained run, encouraging Mott that the horse was back in form. On November 5, Drosselmeyer entered the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs as a 13-1 longshot. The field was considered very evenly balanced, featuring Flat Out (Jockey Club Gold Cup), Havre de Grace (Woodward Stakes), Stay Thirsty (Travers), Game On Dude (Santa Anita Handicap and Goodwood Stakes), So You Think (three European Group One wins) and Uncle Mo (Kelso Handicap). Reunited with Mike Smith, Drosselmeyer settled near the back of the field then made a sustained run down