Betting on this year’s Belmont Stakes and the other 12 races held Saturday at Belmont Park fell significantly from last year, according to a release from the New York Racing Association. NYRA reported an all-sources handle of $50.2 million for the third leg of the Triple Crown, about $10.3 million less or 17% down from […]
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Betting on this yr’s Belmont Stakes and the opposite 12 races held Saturday at Belmont Park fell considerably from final yr, based on a launch from the New York Racing Affiliation.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. turns to the group at Belmont Park Saturday as he and Mo Donegal win the Belmont Stakes. Betting on the third leg of the Triple Crown fell by 17% from final yr’s race, which generated a file deal with for a Belmont and not using a Triple Crown on the road. (Picture: Chelsea Durand/NYRA)
NYRA reported an all-sources deal with of $50.2 million for the third leg of the Triple Crown, about $10.3 million much less or 17% down from the $60.5 million wager on final yr’s race.
The Belmont Stakes was a part of a 13-race card each this yr and final yr. Very similar to the marquee race, the deal with for all the day additionally declined. After bettors wagered $112.7 million final yr – a Belmont Stakes Day file when a Triple Crown was not on the road – this yr’s card attracted an all-sources deal with of $98.8 million, a 12.3% drop.
Like final yr, no horse had an opportunity to change into a Triple Crown winner Saturday. Mo Donegal received the race because the 5-2 post-time favourite. Kentucky Derby winner Wealthy Strike, who bypassed the Preakness, completed sixth.
Saturday’s operating was the primary Belmont Stakes run underneath regular situations for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic. It served as the primary leg of the Triple Crown in 2020 and was lowered by a quarter-mile to 1-1/4 miles. Final yr, COVID restrictions restricted the Belmont Park crowd to simply 11,238.
On Saturday, 46,301 attended the races. Upwards of 90,000 followers have attended the race in recent times. Nonetheless, the just lately opened UBS Area on the Lengthy Island monitor absorbed a lot of the area the place followers congregated up to now. Consequently, NYRA capped attendance this yr at 50,000.
Decrease Deal with Possible Resulting from Smaller Fields
After final month’s Kentucky Derby produced file betting numbers, the next legs each reported declines in deal with. The Preakness Stakes three weeks in the past noticed a 5% dip to $65.3 million, and the 14-race card at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore fell 8%, or almost $9M, to $104.3 million.
Just like the Belmont, the Preakness Stakes additionally reported a file deal with in 2021.
Whereas the dearth of Triple Crown drama actually performed a job in wagering declines within the closing two legs, there are doubtless different causes for the Belmont Stakes card dropping by as a lot because it did.
Small subject sizes could also be guilty for among the dropoff. The cardboard featured 9 stakes races, however these races included 4 entries in a single race, 5 in three others, and 6 in one other.
Mo Donegal Claims Belmont Stakes
Mo Donegal got here to the Belmont after a fifth-place end within the Kentucky Derby. Nonetheless, the Wooden Memorial winner obtained a much-better journey this time round with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt went outdoors within the closing flip to take the lead and draw back. Mo Donegal scored a three-length win over Nest, a Pletcher-trained filly who overcame a slight stumble out of the gate.
Mike Repole, an entrepreneur behind Vitaminwater and BODYARMOR drinks and a local of close by Queens, is a co-owner of the highest two horses.
It’s a 40-year dream,” Repole stated. “Coming to this monitor and Aqueduct, being a child from New York, that is New York’s race… This was the largest purpose of my racing life, and I simply achieved it and I ran 1-2.”
Wealthy Strike began behind the pack as he did within the Derby 5 weeks in the past. Nonetheless, a slower tempo on Saturday doubtless saved him from making a cost down the stretch.
The Derby winner additionally didn’t keep inside as he did in Louisville. That alternative led to coach Eric Reed second-guessing himself afterward.
“Our largest change was deciding to remain a bit off the rail and attempt to give him an excellent, open run the place he might take off,” Reed stated. “The entire means, his head turned and he was making an attempt to get to the within. I suppose we made a mistake not placing him on the fence.”
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