Betting on this yr’s Belmont Stakes and the opposite 12 races held Saturday at Belmont Park fell considerably from final yr, in line with a launch from the New York Racing Affiliation.
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 guess 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 the complete day additionally declined. After bettors wagered $112.7 million final yr – a Belmont Stakes Day report 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 turn out to be 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 working was the primary Belmont Stakes run below regular situations because the 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. Nevertheless, the lately opened UBS Enviornment on the Lengthy Island observe absorbed a lot of the house the place followers congregated prior to now. Because of this, NYRA capped attendance this yr at 50,000.
Decrease Deal with Probably Attributable to Smaller Fields
After final month’s Kentucky Derby produced report betting numbers, the following 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 practically $9M, to $104.3 million.
Just like the Belmont, the Preakness Stakes additionally reported a report deal with in 2021.
Whereas the dearth of Triple Crown drama actually performed a job in wagering declines within the remaining two legs, there are possible different causes for the Belmont Stakes card dropping by as a lot because it did.
Small discipline sizes could also be responsible 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. Nevertheless, the Wooden Memorial winner received a much-better journey this time round with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt went outdoors within the remaining 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 mentioned. “Coming to this observe and Aqueduct, being a child from New York, that is New York’s race… This was the largest objective of my racing life, and I simply completed it and I ran 1-2.”
Wealthy Strike began at the back of the pack as he did within the Derby 5 weeks in the past. Nevertheless, a slower tempo on Saturday possible saved him from making a cost down the stretch.
The Derby winner additionally didn’t keep inside as he did in Louisville. That selection 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 may take off,” Reed mentioned. “The entire method, his head turned and he was making an attempt to get to the within. I assume we made a mistake not placing him on the fence.”