Mo Donegal captures 2022 Belmont Stakes
The 2022 Triple Crown opened in early-May with Rich Strike pulling off a massive upset at the Kentucky Derby as an 80-1 underdog. The season ended on Saturday afternoon at the Belmont Stakes with favorite Mo Donegal capturing the victory.
Mo Donegal and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. won the event at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. with a time of 2:28.28 after passing frontrunner We the People and separating themselves in the final furlong. Nest finished in second place and Skippylongstocking finished in third, while Rich Strike was sixth.
"This has been a dream I've had for 40 years," Mo Donegal's owner Mike Repole said, per The Athletic. "This is the biggest thrill I've had in my racing life and I've just accomplished it."
Repole and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher had two horses in the race in Mo Donegal and Nest. Saturday was Pletcher's sixth win in a Triple Crown race, according to the Associated Press and ESPN and fourth time winning the Belmont Stakes.
Mo Donegal entered the race as a 5/2 favorite.
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