Mo Donegal was the 154th Belmont Stakes winner at the official time of 2: 28.28. This is the fourth time Hall of Fame coach Todd Fletcher has beaten Belmont.
Fletcher’s previous successes at Belmont Stakes include Rocks to Riches in 2007, Palace Malice in 2013 and Tapewright in 2017. Saturday was a terrible day for him on the racetrack, just like his other coach in racing. Nest, took second place.
“This is my derby,” owner Mike Repol told NBA Sports after the race. “It was a dream I had for 40 years. It was the biggest goal I had in my racing career. I achieved it and I ran 1-2.”
Born and raised in New York, Repole approached success a decade ago. He gets emotional when he talks about finally achieving his dream.
“In 2011, I finished second through Stay Thirsty,” he said. “I’ve seen the replay 150 times. I’ll never see that replay again.”
Historically, the odds were in favor of Mo Donegal as the bettor won the Belmont Stocks more than 42% of the time. He came to the race as the best choice with 5/2 odds and had a solid application in New York as his previous three wins had taken place there.
He also had a good teammate at Rat Ortiz. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican jockey has a firm reputation in the Empire State and won Belmond shares in 2016 with Creator. Ortiz is a three-time Eclipse Award winner who holds the title for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. His brother, Jose Ortiz, did not compete this weekend because he won the Breakness Stocks this year with a vote this weekend.
Horses did not participate in all three legs of the Triple Crown this year. Mo Donegal finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, but performed better on Saturday. For a good chunk of the race he was in the middle of the pack because we the people – the favorite when the morning line-up conflicts were minimal – took the lead early on. Skippylongstocking was in second place and tried to capture, but Mo Donegal came up from fifth and started ahead of his rivals.
“I always go for the Queen’s mic,” Repol said. “It’s New York’s biggest race, with family and friends here to win it, and I’m kind of depressed.”
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike Took sixth place. This is the first time in four consecutive years that three different horses have won the Triple Crown race.
Belmont Stakes Results, Payment
6 – Mo Donegal Success: $ 7.20 Location: $ 3.80 Event: $ 3.00
3 – Nest Location: $ 5.30 Event: $ 4.10
2 – Skippylongstocking Event: $ 5.60
$ 2.00 exactly 6-3 $ 27.60
$ 1.00 Trifecta 6-3-2 $ 187.50
$ 1.00 Superfecta 6-3-2-1 $ 692.00
Belmond Stakes Order of Finish
- Mo Donegal
- Nest
- Of Skipplongstock
- We are people
- Creative Minister
- Rich strike
- Barber Road
- Golden Glider
