Dornoch, a 17-1 underdog, staged a remarkable upset at the Belmont Stakes, marking a significant victory in the world of horse racing. Co-owned by former MLB All-Star Jayson Werth, West Paces Racing claimed the $2 million prize, with jockey Luis Saez securing his second Belmont Stakes win after a previous victory aboard Essential Quality in 2021.
Seize The Gray, the winner of the Preakness Stakes, initially set the pace in the race, leading for the first three quarters of a mile with a time of 1:10.67. However, Seize The Gray faded as Dornoch and Mindframe surged to the front and pulled away from the rest of the field during the far turn and into the stretch.
Despite being the favorite, Sierra Leone patiently navigated the race and made a late move to secure a third-place finish. In contrast, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan failed to make an impact throughout the event.
This year marked the sixth consecutive year that three different horses claimed victories in the three legs of the Triple Crown. The last time a horse won more than one of these prestigious races in a single year was in 2018 when Justify achieved the feat.
Looking ahead, the conclusion of the 2024 Triple Crown season signals the end of Bob Baffert’s suspension at the Kentucky Derby. The renowned and somewhat controversial trainer will now have the opportunity to participate in all three races for the first time since 2020.
The post-race payouts for the 156th Belmont Stakes are as follows:
– Dornoch: WIN $37.40, PLACE $17.60, SHOW $8.10
– Mindframe: PLACE $6.80, SHOW $4.20
– Sierra Leone: SHOW $2.60
In addition to these payouts, various betting options were available for spectators, including exactas, trifectas, superfectas, daily doubles, and pick sequences.
As the excitement of the Belmont Stakes fades, the horse racing community eagerly awaits the next chapter in the sport’s storied history.