Mo Donegal is the winner of the 154th Belmont Stakes in an official time of 2: 28.28. This is the fourth time Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher has won the Belmont.
Pletcher’s previous wins 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 circuit for him as his other apprentice in the race, Nest, he finished second.
“This is my Derby,” owner Mike Repole told NBA Sports after the race. “This has been a dream I’ve had for 40 years. That’s the biggest goal I’ve had in my racing life, and I’ve just achieved it and I ran 1-2.”
Born and raised in New York City, Repole came close to winning just over a decade ago. He was excited as he talked about what finally got his dream.
“In 2011 I finished second with Stay Thirsty,” he said. “I’ve seen the replay 150 times. I won’t watch it again.”
The odds were in favor of Mo Donegal, as historically the betting favorite had won the Belmont Stakes more than 42% of the time. He entered the race as the best team with 5/2 odds and also had a solid resume in New York, as the previous three wins had taken place there.
He also had a good companion in Irad Ortiz. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican jockey has a solid reputation at Empire State and had won the Belmont Stakes in 2016 with Creator. Ortiz has won the Eclipse Award three times and has been honored for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. Success is in the family, as his brother, Jose Ortiz, won the Preakness Stakes with the vote. anticipated this year, which did not compete this weekend.
No horse has taken part in the three stages of the Triple Crown this year. 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 much of the race, as We the People, the favorite when the odds of the morning line dropped, took the lead early. Skippylongstocking was in second place and was trying to take over, but Mo Donegal climbed from fifth position and began to overtake his competitors with a strong push towards the end.
“I’ll always be Mike from Queens,” Repole said. “This is New York’s biggest race, and to win it here, with family, friends, I’m a little overwhelmed.”
Rich Strike, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished sixth. This is the first time three different horses have won Triple Crown races in four consecutive years.
Belmont Stakes results, payments
6 – Mo Donegal WIN: $ 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
Arrival order for Belmont Stakes
- Mo Donegal
- Niu
- Skippylongstockin
- We, the people
- Creative Minister
- Vaga rica
- Barber’s Way
- Golden glider