By Andy Serling
FOX Sports Horse Racing Analyst
In a appearing blink of an eye, the Triple Crown is over as preferred Mo Donegal made it 4 Belmont Stakes wins for fitnessinstructor Todd Pletcher on Saturday.
Mo Donegal, who brought the silks of Repole Stable, as did runner-up Nest, likewise races for co-owner Donegal Stables. Both owners won their veryfirst Test of the Champion.
This was the 2nd Belmont Stakes victory for jockey Irad Ortiz, who likewise won in 2016 with Creator.
With range (1 ½ miles) being the greatest concern for all the runners, Mo Donegal had no issue with the included ground. In truth, he positioned himself really much in the conversation as the leading 3-year-old after Saturday. There is, nevertheless, a lot more crucial racing to be done, so the conversation is to be continued.
Runner-up Nest attempted to replicate another Pletcher runner, Rags to Riches in 2007, in endingupbeing simply the 2nd filly to win the Belmont Stakes over the last century. She made a worthy effort, recuperating well after stumbling at the start — unusually, something that Rags to Riches likewise did — to gain great early position under an extraordinary flight by Jose Ortiz, Irad’s bro.
Momentarily obstructed behind horses turning for house, she swung outside to surface 2nd without seriously threatening Mo Donegal. With a cleaner journey, she might have complete closer, however it is notlikely she would have won. As her fitnessinstructor stated, “I got the sensation Mo Donegal had a little something in the tank if he was challenged,” and, while referencing Nest’s less than great racing luck, “with a little various journey, it would haveactually been better.”
Mo Donegal paid $7.20, $3.80 and $3. Nest paid $5.30 and $4.10. Skippylongstocking paid $5.60 to program.
The $2 exacta (6-3) paid $27.60, the $1 trifecta (6-3-2) paid $187.50 and the $1 superfecta (6-3-2-1) paid $692.
As for Rich Strike, the hero of the Kentucky Derby, it simply wasn’t indicated to be. Without a strong rate to close into, his closing kick was futile, and there is a reasonable argument the 1 ½ miles was just too far for his finest.
Trainer Eric Reed, while takingon more blame for the loss than he shouldhave, stated, “we’ll offer him 3 or 4 simple weeks and then start training him up to the Travers.”
This does not take away from Rich Strike’s Derby success, and he stays a great story, however whether he can complete at this level is arguable. The great news for his fans is that, like Mo Donegal and Preakness winner Early Voting, he is being pointed towards the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug.27 The race will be telecasted on FOX Sports.
Besides the winners of the 3 legs of the Triple Crown, there are at least 3 other significant gamers presently pointing to the Travers, consistingof Derby and Preakness runner-up Epicenter, who races for fitnessinstructor Steve Asmussen.
The other significant horses are in the barn of Early Voting’s fitnessinstructor Chad Brown. Zandon (third in the Derby) and unbeaten Jack Christopher, who missedouton the Triple Crown races due to an injury at the end of his 2-year-old season however has returned with 2 wins, consistingof a fantastic success in the Woody Stephens Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard.
“This horse is an remarkable skill,” Brown stated after his win on Saturday. “This is my 15th year of training, and I’ve neverever had a dirt horse with this much pure luster.”
While Rich Strike’s connections plan to train him up to the Travers, the other 5 divisional leaders will usage either the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 23 (only Jack Christopher is undoubtedly pointed there as of now) or the Jim Dandy Stakes on July 30 at Saratoga.
These races task to be fiercely objectedto with what might be one of the most amazing Travers Stakes in current memory waiting in the wings. While the Triple Crown might be over, things are actually simply beginning to heat up, with the prominent eight-week Saratoga satisfy simply over one month away.
Buckle up, there is still a lot more racing .
Andy Serling is the Senior Racing Analyst for the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and appears frequently on America’s Day at the Races/Saratoga Live on FOX Sports. He likewise examines the races day-to-day on Talking Horses on the NYRA simulcast network amongst other responsibilities covering Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct. In his alittle more decent days, he traded alternatives on the now-defunct American Stock Exchange. Follow him on Twitter @andyserling.