Dornoch pulls off upset to win Belmont Stakes at Saratoga
Saratoga Springs, NY
Dornoch pulled off a 17-1 upset to win the first Belmont Stakes run at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday. The 3-year-old colt, trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Joel Rosario, rallied from off the pace to win by a length over Mindframe. Sierra Leone, the 2-1 favorite, finished third.
The Belmont Stakes was moved to Saratoga this year while Belmont Park undergoes a major renovation. The race was run at a distance of 1 1/2 miles on a fast track.
Dornoch broke from the starting gate in fifth place and settled into a stalking position behind the leaders. He made his move on the far turn, sweeping past the pacesetters and taking the lead at the top of the stretch. Mindframe and Sierra Leone gave chase, but Dornoch held on to win.
"He's a very talented horse," Maker said. "He's been training very well, and we knew he had a big race in him. He showed it today."
Rosario said Dornoch was "very professional" in the race.
"He broke well and put me in a good spot," Rosario said. "He relaxed nicely and then when I asked him to go, he gave me a great kick."
Dornoch's victory was a major upset, but it was not a complete surprise. The colt had been improving steadily in his previous starts, and he had shown a liking for the Saratoga track.
The win was a big one for Maker, who is one of the top trainers in the country. It was also a big win for Rosario, who is one of the top jockeys in the world.
Dornoch's victory was a fitting way to kick off the first Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. The race was a success, and it is likely to become a permanent fixture on the racing calendar.
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