Dornoch holds off Mindframe for 17-1 upset in Belmont Stakes

After losing his first two Grade 1 tests by a combined 24
1/2 lengths, Dornoch fulfilled his earlier promise and held off a late, veering
charge by Mindframe for an upset victory in the $2 million Belmont Stakes on
Saturday at Saratoga.

With regular rider Luis Sáez back in the irons, Dornoch
(17-1) stalked the early lead in the 1 1/4-mile classic before moving around fading
Preakness winner Seize the Grey (5-1) at the top of the stretch. He then cut to
the rail and charged home while Mindframe (5-1), in only his third race, lugged
out on Irad Ortiz Jr. before angling inward only to come up about a half-length
short.

Click here for Saratoga entries and results.

Post-time favorite Sierra Leone (8-5) made his usual late rally
to finish third, and Honor Marie (14-1) was fourth in the field of 10 3-year-olds.
Dornoch paid $37.40, $17.60 and $8.10; Mindframe $6.80 and $4.20; and Sierra
Leone $2.60.

The winning time was 2:01.64 for the first 1 1/4-mile
running of the Belmont since 1905. Early fractions were 22.99, 47.25, 1:10.67
and 1:35.51.

It was the first win in a Triple Crown race for trainer
Danny Gargan and the second for Sáez, who rode Essential Quality to victory in
the 2021 Belmont.

After beginning his career with a pair of runner-up
finishes, Dornoch rattled off three consecutive triumphs, breaking his maiden
at Keeneland in October, scoring by a nose in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct in December
and then winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park in March. That
streak was followed by a fourth-place finish in the Blue Grass (G1) at
Keeneland and a 10th-place result in the Kentucky Derby.

A $325,000 colt by Good Magic, Dornoch is owned by West
Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine
Racing Stables.

This story will be updated by Matt Shifman’s report from
Saratoga.