Crystal Pouncey
Jun 13, 2024 - 06:05

Belmont Stakes 2024 winner: Dornoch triumphs at Saratoga

Dornoch, a 17-1 long shot, wins Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Second career victory for jockey Luis Saez.

In a thrilling upset, the 17-1 long shot Dornoch emerged victorious in the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Jockey Luis Saez expertly guided Dornoch to victory against a competitive field that included Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Preakness winner Seize the Grey, securing his second career Belmont Stakes triumph. Trainer Danny Gargan and co-owner Jayson Werth, a former Major League Baseball All-Star, celebrated their first Belmont Stakes win.

Reflecting on the significance of the victory, Gargan emphasized the allure of horse racing as a sport, highlighting the prestige of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont races. Dornoch's impressive performance in the Belmont Stakes showcased his true potential, redeeming a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

In a dramatic showdown, Dornoch and Seize the Grey led the pack into the homestretch, with Mindframe surging forward in a late challenge. Despite the intense competition, Dornoch maintained his lead to clinch the victory by a narrow margin of half a length, clocking in at 2:01.64. The favored Sierra Leone struggled initially but rallied to secure third place, followed by Honor Marie in fourth.

The Belmont Stakes marked the sixth consecutive year that a different horse emerged victorious in each of the Triple Crown races, a streak not seen since 1924-29. Saez, reflecting on his partnership with Dornoch, expressed confidence in the horse's potential, noting their strong performance in Saratoga prior to the race.

Due to renovations at Belmont Park, the iconic Saratoga Race Course hosted this year's Belmont Stakes, with a modified distance of 1 1/4 miles instead of the traditional 1½. The unique track layout at Saratoga necessitated the adjustment in distance, aligning it with the length of the Kentucky Derby. The race is expected to return to Belmont Park in 2026, reverting to the traditional 1½-mile distance.