In a historic twist, the 156th running of the thundered into Saratoga Springs, New York on June 8th, 2024. With Belmont Park under renovation, the “Test of the Champion” shifted to the legendary Saratoga Race Course for the very first time. With a smaller track and a field of contenders hungry to etch their name in history, the 156th Belmont Stakes promised an exciting chapter in thoroughbred racing history.
156th Belmont Stakes Results
The 156th Belmont Stak♌es unfolded under an electric atmosphere at Saratoga. The switch to the shorter🍌 track, a consequence of Belmont Park renovations, added a layer of intrigue. Preakness winner Seize the Grey took the early lead, controlling the pace for the first three-quarters of a mile. Behind him, the contenders jockeyed for position, waiting for their moment to strike.
As they turned for home, Belmont Stakes odds favorite Sierra Leone made a strong push, but it was Dornoch, a 17-1 underdog, who eme🐷rged from the pack. With jockey Luis Saez at the helm, Dornoch hugged the rail, finding a seam and surging to the front. A furious stretch duel ensued with Mindframe, but Dornoch held strong, crossing the finish line a half-length a💛head to secure a stunning upset victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating an improbable champion and a Belmont Stakes unlike any other.
- Dornoch
- Mindframe
- Sierra Leone
- Honor Marie
- Antiquarian
- Protective
- Seize the Grey
- Mystik Dan
- The Wine Steward
- Resilience
Dornoch Wins the 2024 Belmont Stakes
Dornoch wasn’t always the underdog who stole the show at Belmont. Trained by Danny Gargan and co-owned by baseball star Jayson Werth, Dornoch had early promise. He garnered attention last year with a narrow win over Belmont favorite Sierra Leone in the Remsen Stakes and started his 3-year-old season strong with a victory at the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
156th Belmont Stakes Purse & Winners ꦗPrize Mone𒅌y
However, his road to the Belmont wasn’t smooth sailing. A tactical decision backfired in the Blue Grass Stakes, and a rough trip in the Kentucky Derby left him finishing a disappointing 10th. Despite these setbacks, trainer Gargan and jockey Luis Saez remained confident in Dornoch’s talent, a belief that ultimately paid off in a dramatic Belmont win.
