Mo Donegal is the winner of the 154th Belmont Stakes in official time 2: 28.28. This is the fourth time Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher has won Belmont.
Pletcher’s previous victories at Belmont Stakes were with Rags to Riches in 2007, Palace Malice in 2013 and Tapwrit in 2017. Saturday was a great day on the track for him as his other intern in the race, Nest, finished at Second place.
“This is my derby,” owner Mike Repol told NBA Sports after the race. “It’s a dream I’ve had for 40 years. It’s the biggest goal I’ve had in my racing life and I just achieved it and ran 1-2.”
Repol, who was born and raised in New York, was close to victory just over a decade ago. He was emotional as he said he had finally achieved his dream.
“In 2011 I was second with Stay Thirsty,” he said. “I’ve watched the replay 150 times. I won’t watch this replay again.”
The odds were in favor of Mo Donegal, as historically the betting favorite had won the Belmont Stakes in more than 42% of cases. He entered the race as the best choice with a 5/2 odds and also had a solid resume in New York, as all three of his previous victories took place there.
He also had a good teammate in Irad Ortiz. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican jockey has a solid reputation at the Empire State and won the Belmont Stakes in 2016 with Creator. Ortiz is a three-time winner of the Eclipse Award, receiving the award in three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. The success is in the family, as his brother Jose Ortiz won this year’s Preakness bets with early voting, which is not competing this weekend.
This year, no horse took part in all three stages of the Triple Crown. Mo Donegal finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, but had a much better performance on Saturday. He was in the middle of the group for most of the race, because We, the people – the favorite when the chances of the morning line fell – went earlier. Skippylongstocking was in second place and was trying to take over, but Mo Donegal came out in fifth place and started to overtake his competitors with a strong push towards the end.
“I will always be Mike from Queens,” Repol said. “This is the biggest race in New York, and to win it here, with family, friends, I’m kind of overwhelmed.”
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike finished sixth. This is the first time that three different horses have won the Triple Crown race in four consecutive years.
Belmont Stakes results, payouts
6 – Mo Donegal WINS: $ 7.20 PLACE: $ 3.80 SHOW: $ 3,003 – Nest PLACE: $ 5.30 SHOW: $ 4,102 – Skippylongstocking SHOW: $ 5.60
$ 2.00 Exacta 6-3 $ 27.60 $ 1.00 Trifecta 6-3-2 $ 187.50 $ 1.00 Superfecta 6-3-2-1 $ 692.00
Belmont Stakes order of completion
- Mo Donegal
- nest
- Skippylongstockin
- We, people
- Creative Minister
- Rich Strike
- Barber Road
- Golden glider
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