In a surprising turn of events, Dornoch emerged victorious in the first Belmont Stakes held at Saratoga Race Course, defying the odds at 17-1. The horse, co-owned by World Series champion Jayson Werth, redeemed itself after a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.
Ridden by Luis Saez and trained by Danny Gargan, Dornoch showcased its potential by hugging the rail and fending off Mindframe to secure a 1 1/2-length win. This triumph marked the first win in any Triple Crown race for Gargan and the second Belmont victory for Saez.
The historic race, which took place at Saratoga for the first time in its 161-year history, saw Dornoch conquer the 1 1/4-mile distance in a time of 2:01.64. The temporary alteration from the traditional 1 1/2-mile distance aimed to attract a more competitive field, including horses from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Despite the change in distance, Gargan expressed confidence that Dornoch would have prevailed even at the longer distance. The talented 3-year-old has now set his sights on potential future races, with the Travers being a likely contender.
The victory at the Belmont Stakes not only solidified Dornoch's status as a top 3-year-old but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of horse racing. The win underscored the sentiment that in this sport, any horse can emerge victorious on any given day.
As the racing world reflects on this unexpected outcome, Dornoch's triumph serves as a reminder of the excitement and unpredictability that define the sport of horse racing.
