Dornoch holds off Mindframe in Belmont Stakes at Saratoga

Jun 08, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

A troubled 10th when trying to emulate full brother Mage in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Dornoch rebounded with clear sailing in the $2 million Belmont (G1) at Saratoga. The 17-1 longshot prompted Preakness (G1) winner Seize the Grey, took over at the top of the stretch, and bravely withstood the challenge of Mindframe by a half-length. Sierra Leone, the 1.70-1 favorite, was a closing third.

Trained by Danny Gargan for West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables, Dornoch was ridden by regular pilot Luis Saez. Gargan was winning his first Triple Crown race, while Saez was notching his second classic victory, after guiding Essential Quality in the 2021 Belmont.

One of Dornoch’s co-owners is retired Major League Baseball player Jayson Werth. His nom de course is Two Eight Racing, inspired by the number on his jersey.

Werth paid tribute to Team Dornoch while expressing his enthusiasm for horse racng:

“I didn't do anything. That's what these guys are for. I've got good partners and a good trainer, and a great horse.

“I'll put this up there with anything I've ever done. This is the top of sports,” Werth said.

“Horse racing is the most underrated sport there is. This is as big as it gets. The emotions you feel when you play in a playoff game, when you win a World Series game, it is the top of sports, and this is where we're at.”

Unlike the Derby, where Dornoch was shut off early on the rail, the son of Good Magic and Puca was able to work out the free-running trip he desires from post 6. Seize the Grey was quicker on the inside to take the lead, but Dornoch was lapped right on his flank.

Sierra Leone and Honor Marie, on the other hand, got off to a troubled start. Both were going to drop back off the pace anyway, but the trouble arguably put them further behind, or at a minimum complicated the task of finding their early rhythm.

Meanwhile, the inexperienced Mindframe, who was trying the Belmont with only two career starts under his belt, was well placed in a stalking role. When Dornoch launched his bid, Mindframe was traveling even better, and loomed a serious danger at the top of the stretch.

Mindframe actually headed Dornoch midway down the lane. But he then wandered around before straightening again, and that proved costly against a resilient Dornoch.

“At that point, I thought the other horse was going to beat us,” Saez said. “But Dornoch, he kept finding. He never let the other one get by. Pretty nice horse, big heart.”

Dornoch battled back to regain the edge and win the third jewel of the Triple Crown. The bay negotiated 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.64 and paid $37.40.

“I never lost faith in him,” Gargan said of Dornoch. “He had tremendous works up here. He's a big powerful horse. You just have to be patient and not lose focus and just grind away, and hopefully, you get lucky and win one of these.”

Sierra Leone, who was involved in scrimmaging in upper stretch, lengthened stride to close the gap late in third. Honor Marie rallied for fourth, followed by Antiquarian, Protective, Seize the Grey, Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan, The Wine Steward, and Resilience.

Bred by Grandview Equine in Kentucky, Dornoch sold for $325,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. The Belmont advanced his record to 8-4-2-0, including scores in the Remsen (G2) and Fountain of Youth (G2), and the $1.2 million winner's check boosted his earnings to $1,752,275.