Mo Donegal wins Belmont Stakes; Derby winner Rich Strike 6th

Mo Donegal, with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. up, crosses the finish line to win the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

NEW YORK (AP) — Mo Donegal won and filly Nest was second, giving trainer Todd Pletcher a 1-2 finish at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday for his sixth victory in a Triple Crown race.

Donegal rounded the 1 1/2-mile track in 2 minutes, 28.28 seconds, ahead of Nest and Skippylongstocking.

Pletcher won the Belmont Stakes for the fourth time, following Rags to Riches in 2007, Palace Malice in 2013 and Tapwrit in 2017.

Mo Donegal beat a wide-open, eight-horse field without a clear favorite — We the People, a monster in the mud, opened at 2 to 1 amid a rainy forecast but reached 7 to 2 by race time as showers held off.

Mo Donegal entered the gate the betting favorite at 5 to 2. We the People led for much of the race, but Mo Donegal and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. took charge coming out of the final turn.

“The one thing I told Irad is be patient,” Pletcher said. “I think you have the best last quarter of any horse in the race.”

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Rich Strike, a stunning Kentucky Derby winner at 80-to-1 odds, was sixth after owner Rick Dawson and trainer Eric Reed held him out of the Preakness with an eye on Belmont. Rich Strike was the first healthy Derby winner to skip Pimlico since 1985.

Reed said the team encouraged jockey Sonny Leon to try pushing Rich Strike from the outside, but the horse kept trying to get back inside — where he made a late charge past 19 horse to win at Churchill Downs.

“I think we just made a tactical error,” Reed said.

Just like Rich Strike, Mo Donegal was at the back of the pack at the Derby, but the colt didn’t have enough kick at Churchill Downs. He found it Saturday, winning the 154th running of the $1.5 million race.

“To be honest with you, we were a little confident going into the race today,” Donegal Racing CEO Jerry Crawford said. “When he turned for home, I was like, forget about it. I know Todd thought he could get a strong last quarter mile, and he sure did.”

It’s the fourth straight year the Triple Crown races were won by three different horses, a first for the sport since 1926-29.

The race marked a return to form for Belmont itself after the 2020 Stakes were closed to the public due to the pandemic and the 2021 event was limited to 11,238 spectators by virus restrictions.

Capacity was capped again, this time at 50,000, because of congestion concerns stemming from the newly built arena next door for the NHL’s New York Islanders. Still, fans crammed into cars on the Long Island Rail Road and breathed life into the 117-year-old track with floral headwear, pastel suits and the unmistakable musk of booze and cigars.

Still, the stands weren’t nearly as packed as when the grounds hosted a 120,139 fans in 2004. Not much of a surprise, given the shaky weather forecast and the lack of a Triple Crown contender.

The field was sparse, too. No horse ran all three Triple Crown legs this year, heightening concern that three races in five weeks may be too tight a schedule to keep the horses healthy.

Preakness winner Early Voting was sidelined, likely to prepare for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 27. Epicenter, the runner-up at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, also skipped.

Photos: Scenes from the Belmont Stakes

Horses leave the starting gate during the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Mo Donegal (6), with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., won the race. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Frank Franklin II

Mo Donegal (6), with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., pulls away from Nest (3), with Jose Ortiz, before crossing the finish line to win the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Frank Franklin II

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. reacts after Mo Donegal (6) won the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. celebrates after Mo Donegal (6) won the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. celebrates after Mo Donegal (6) won the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. clenches his fist as Mo Donegal (6) is led after winning the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Frank Franklin II

Flightline (1) is hosed down after winning The Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan horse race before the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz)

Eduardo Munoz

A spectator wears a decorative hat before the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Frank Franklin II 50-plus photos of Kentucky Derby hats through the years

Jockey Eddie Arcaro is kissed by his mother, Josephine, holding roses, after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., on May 3, 1952. Arcaro, who was riding Hill Gail, celebrates his fifth Derby win. At left is Lucille Parker Wright, whose racing stable Calumet Farm has had five Derby winners. At center is Ben Jones, who has trained all six Derby winners. (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Britain’s Princess Margaret, smokes cigarette while watching races at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 4, 1974. The princess is in Louisville to view the Kentucky Derby. (AP Photo)

AP Photo

Jockey Pat Valenzuela gets a kiss from Mrs. Peggy Whittingham, wife of trainer Charlie Whittingham, after riding Sunday Silence to a win in the Kentucky Derby Sunday, May 8, 1989 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Looking on is Valenzuela’s wife Jeana. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Ed Reinke

Horse racing fans sporting their Kentucky Derby hats gaze down at the paddock from the balcony of the new grandstand at Churchill Downs, Saturday morning, May 7, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. The 131st Kentucky Derby is the 10th race of the day. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easely)

TIMOTHY D. EASLEY

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Darron Cummings

Sandy Dompkosky, wearing a Tiz the Law, themed hat stands in the paddock before the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

A woman wears a hat before the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A female fan in a fancy hat is seen at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. The 145th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 4. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

Gregory Payan

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

A woman wears a hat during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A man wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

Tammy poole, of Louisville, Ky., wears her pink Kentucky Derby hat during Derby day festivities at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 7, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. The 131st Kentucky Derby is the 10th race of the day. (AP Photo/james Crisp)

JAMES CRISP

Horse racing fan George Holter, from Prairie Village, Kan., wears his twin spires Kentucky Derby hat as he walks through the paddock area at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 7, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. Holter is attending his 26th derby. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

DARRON CUMMINGS

Skip Koepnick, of Wyoming, Mich., sports his Kentucky Derby hat at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 7, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. The 131st Kentucky Derby is the 10th race of the day. (AP Photo/Brian Bohannon)

BRIAN BOHANNON

Ernie Trent, of Jeffersonville, Ind., sports his twin spires hat during Kentucky Derby day festivities at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 7, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. The 131st Kentucky Derby is the 10th race of the day.(AP Photo/ Brian Bohannon)

BRIAN BOHANNON

Jenny Hollifield, left, and Banita Conte wear hats before the Kentucky Oaks race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Morry Gash

A spectator wears a fancy hat while waiting for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

Charles Matasich or Proctorville, Ohio wears a hat before the 136th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

Dana Settles wears a fancy hat during the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

David Goldman

A spectator wear a hat the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

Patty Ethington of Shelbyville, Ky., smiles with her fancy hat at the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Patti Longmire)

Patti Longmire

Jennifer Baisden of Columbus, Ohio, shows off her fancy hat at the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

Spectators arrive with their fancy hats to attend the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Matt Slocum

A woman wears a hat during the 136th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Darron Cummings

Erica Harris of Omaha, Neb., wears a Derby hat before the 136th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Rob Carr

A spectator shows off her Derby hat before the 137th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Ed Reinke

A spectator wears a fancy hat through the paddock area before the 138th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mark Humphrey

Tamara Sorrell, from Austin, Tx., wears a fancy hat in the paddocks before the 138th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mark Humphrey

A spectator wears a fancy hat before the 138th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

Tammy Behr, from Louisville, Ky., wears a fancy hat while attending the running of the 139th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs Friday, May 3, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

A fan wears a hat before the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Julio Cortez

Ashley Cebak and Tami Purcell wear hats before the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 3, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

David Goldman

Nichole Whelan wears a hat before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

Ginny Keen wears a hat before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Brynn Anderson

Mark Ferguson wears a coronavirus-themed hat before the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Brynn Anderson

A lady wears a stylish hat before the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Brynn Anderson

A women wears a hat and a horse racing face mask before the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Brynn Anderson

A woman wears a hat before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Matt Slocum

Jinny Keen, from Louisville, Ky., wears a handmade hat, celebrating her 44th Derby appearance before the running of the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

David Goldman

A woman wears a fancy hat before the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2017, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a fancy hat before the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2017, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

A woman wears a hat before the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jeff Roberson

Matt Lowe of Des Moines, Iowa., wears a hat before the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

Donna Laudenbacher of Munchie, Ind., wears a hat before the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

John Minchillo

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