In a Belmont Stakes Introduced by NYRA Bets certain to linger as a treasured reminiscence for residents of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for generations to return, 17.70-1 longshot Dornoch pulled a shocking upset by warding off surging Mindframe by half a size Saturday earlier than an electrified crowd at Saratoga Race Course.
The operating of the 156th Belmont was as a lot concerning the web site because it was concerning the startling end result. Iconic Saratoga, which opened in 1863, hosted the ultimate leg of the Triple Crown for the primary time because of ongoing development of a brand new Belmont Park. And the locals liked it, filling the observe to its capped attendance stage of fifty,000.
“What an important concept NYRA (the New York Racing Affiliation) needed to convey the Belmont up right here,” mentioned Randy Hill, a part of Dornoch’s possession group. “There isn’t any place like Saratoga. No proprietor needs to win at anyplace greater than Saratoga.”
Added profitable coach Danny Gargan, a Louisville, Ky., native: “I believe it’s the best racing facility in America.” Saratoga additionally will host the Belmont subsequent 12 months as Belmont Park continues a $455 million makeover.
The $2 million Belmont Stakes was contested at a mile and 1 / 4 as a substitute of the customary mile and a half because of Saratoga’s configuration. That distance was excellent for Dornoch and only a tad quick for lightly-raced Mindframe and hard-charging Sierra Leone, who settled for third.
Dornoch is a full brother to Mage, final 12 months’s Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve winner, as a son of Good Magic out of the Huge Brown mare Puca. He gained the Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes firstly of March however misplaced a lot of his shine after that when he got here in fourth within the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and faltered in 10th, 18 lengths behind Mystik Dan, within the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve. He had the misfortune of drawing the rail for the Derby and endured a troubled journey after that with jockey Luis Saez aboard.
Saez stored Dornoch in glorious place within the Belmont. He sat off Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Gray within the early going, then took over when that colt weakened. After that, it was a matter of holding off Mindframe – a colt that was making solely his third begin after two lopsided victories – and Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone.
Dornoch was all out within the ultimate sixteenth of a mile to prevail, finishing the mile and 1 / 4 in 2:01.64. Honor Marie took fourth, 4 lengths again of Sierra Leone. Seize the Gray drained after setting the early tempo and completed seventh, one spot forward of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, who by no means fired.
“Nobody believed on this horse, however these final two races had been throw-out races,” Gargan emphasised. “I advised Luis they wouldn’t beat him (within the Belmont).” The coach tried to show the 3-year-old to price within the Blue Grass in a failed experiment.
In distinction, the Belmont couldn’t have unfolded any higher. “He did all the things proper. He got here to the highest of the stretch and I nonetheless have quite a lot of horse and he fights,” Saez mentioned. “He fights to get there first. He’s a horse that actually has a giant coronary heart and, man, he ran the proper race.”
Dornoch has gained half of his eight begins with a pair of runner-up efforts whereas his profession earnings spiked to $1,752,275. He’s owned by West Paces Racing, Randy Hill, Belmar Racing, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables. Two Eight represents Jayson Werth, a former main league baseball outfielder.
Werth performed within the massive leagues from 2002-2017. He was a key determine when the Philadelphia Phillies gained the World Sequence in 2008, was an All-Star the next season and helped construct the Washington Nationals franchise. He’s a member of the Nationals’ Ring of Honor.
“I’ll put it up there with something I’ve ever completed,” Werth mentioned of profitable the Belmont with the primary colt he ever owned. “Horse racing is probably the most underrated sport there may be. That is as massive because it will get. These are the feelings you are feeling once you win a playoff recreation, once you win a World Sequence recreation. The highest of sports activities is the highest of sports activities.”
Corridor of Fame coach Todd Pletcher thought Mindframe’s inexperience led to a crucial lack of focus in the course of the stretch run. “If he might have run a straight course down the lane, that might have been the distinction,” Pletcher mentioned.
As for Sierra Leone, coach Chad Brown felt his deep nearer left himself with an excessive amount of to do on a speed-favoring observe as Flavien Prat changed Tyler Gaffalione within the irons. “On the quarter pole, it regarded like he wasn’t going anyplace, then he grabbed the bit late and he got here on,” Brown mentioned. “It’s a tough observe to shut floor on.”
Whereas it’s a lot too quickly to make any plans for the remainder of Dornoch’s schedule, Gargan mentioned he would take into account coaching his colt as much as the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes at Saratoga because the wide-open race for 3-year-old division honors continues into the warmth of summer season.
NYRA introduced all-sources betting deal with for the Belmont Saturday card at Saratoga was $125,748,941, a document.
