Mo Donegal Wins the Belmont Stakes as Rich Strike Finishes Sixth

This article will be updated.

Rich Strike, who thrilled racing fans with a storybook win at the Kentucky Derby, could not add the Belmont Stakes to his résumé on Saturday as Mo Donegal, the favorite at post time, narrowly won the 154th running of what is known as the Test of the Champion.

Mo Donegal, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by the Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, paid $7.20 for a $2 bet and earned an $800,000 for owners Donegal Racing. He had finished fifth at the Kentucky Derby.

Nest, a filly, finished second, and Skippylongstocking was third.

Rich Strike ran in the back of the pack and finished sixth. He was ridden again by Sonny Leon, the little known jock from the grits and hard toast circuit who had thrown down a masterpiece of big-time race riding at Churchill Downs — a swerving, rail-skimming trip worthy of a tear of appreciation from the Mona Lisa.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/11/sports/horse-racing/belmont-stakes-winner.html