In just a decade as a stallion, Uncle Mo has consistently delivered success for those associated with him. Since entering stud in 2012 at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, he has sired a pair of American classic winners – 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and 2022 Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal.
ELMONT, N.Y. – The blanket of carnations draped over the railing by the parking spot marked for trainer Todd Pletcher at his barn Sunday morning told the story of Saturday's Belmont Stakes. On Sunday morning, they were decoration, but on Saturday, they were laid across the withers of Mo Donegal, who provided Pletcher with his fourth Belmont victory in a race in which he swept the top two spots.
Total handle on the Belmont Stakes on Saturday was down 16.5 percent compared to betting on the race last year, according to charts of the races.
Including multi-leg bets ending in the Belmont Stakes, total handle was $50.25 million, compared to $60.15 million last year. Both races had eight horses in the field.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Before the running of the 154th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park, the familiar tune of “New York, New York” was played as the horses came onto the track. Apropos, is that for years owner Mike Repole, a native New Yorker, has been a part of it, though he had never won it.
This time, though, when Repole awakens Sunday morning in the city that never sleeps, he’ll find he’s king of the hill, top of the heap.
Results and payouts from the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 11, 2022, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., won by Mo Donegal.
6 Mo Donegal – $7.20 / $3.80 / $3.00
3 Nest – $5.30 / $4.10
2 Skippylongstocking – $5.60
1 We the People
5 Creative Minister
4 Rich Strike
8 Barber Road
7 Golden Glider
The demanding 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont Stakes calls on a Thoroughbred to use everything they are built upon – and that includes pedigree. This year’s cast appears particularly well-suited to the task.
Three of the eight entrants have Curlin – second in the Belmont Stakes and already the sire of a Belmont winner – in their immediate pedigree as sire or grandsire. Meanwhile three more count Tapit, the most successful sire in the modern history of the Belmont, as their grandsire.
Sonny Leon was already riding high when he went postward in his first Kentucky Derby last month aboard longshot Rich Strike. The jockey, who was seeking his first graded stakes victory in the classic, was coming off a career-best season in 2021.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Rich Strike wasn’t even on anyone’s radar heading into the Kentucky Derby because his chances of even getting into the race seemed unlikely. Even once in the race, his chances still seemed remote, hence his 80-1 price. But now all eyes are on Rich Strike heading into the Belmont Stakes on Saturday for one simple reason, to see if his Derby win was a fluke, or a preview of coming attractions.
