The Belmont Stakes is the third jewel in the famous Triple Crown racing series. It was clear that there would be no Triple Crown winner in 2022 after two different horses won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. This 2022 Belmont Stakes recap will show how the race unfolded and which horse took home the Belmont trophy.
The Test of the Champion – Triple Crown
The 2022 running of the Belmont Stakes took place on June 11, 2022 at Belmont Park in New York. This is the traditional location and timing of the race. 2022 was the 154th running of the event. It is the final race in the Triple Crown series which also includes the Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby.
The race was broadcast on national television as it is each year. In years where the Triple Crown is not on the line, interest in the Belmont Stakes can wane. In 2002 it seems that people were excited about the race as the Triple Crown schedule returned to normal following the global Covid-19 pandemic.
A field of 8 entered the gates at Belmont Park. Perhaps the most popular entrant was Rich Strike. After a longshot win in the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike was held out of the Preakness Stakes by trainer Eric Reed. The horse returned to try the 1 ½ mile distance of the Belmont Stakes.
Also coming into the race from the Preakness were Creative Minister and Skippylongstocking. The race also included new shooters, or horses that did not compete in either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness. Some trainers prefer to save their horses and run them fresh in the Belmont due to the grueling nature of the Triple Crown series. Some of these horses have pulled off the upset and beaten horses which had a chance at the Triple Crown.
Here is a look at the horses which competed in the Belmont and their post positions:
Horses and Post Positions for the 2022 Belmont Stakes
- 1 – We the People
- 2 – Skippylongstocking
- 3 – Nest
- 4 – Rich Strike
- 5 – Creative Minister
- 6 – Mo Donegal
- 7 – Golden Glider
- 8 – Barber Road
There was no sign of Triple Crown favorite Epicenter who suffered defeats in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Eyes on Mo Donegal and Mike Repole
Owner Mike Repole has been a constant figure in the Triple Crown series of races for quite a few years. Repole entered two horses in the 2022 Belmont Stakes. Mo Donegal was joined by Nest, a filly. Sometimes the strategy of running two horses can pay off for owners and trainers.
By the time the 2022 Belmont Stakes was over, Mike Repole would have claimed two of the race’s top three spots. His strategy worked out perfectly.
How the 2022 Belmont Stakes Unfolded
We the People broker sharply from the 1 position to claim and early lead. The other horses were content to allow We the People to carry the lead throughout a large portion of the race. By the time Mo Donegal and Nest began to make their move, the horses in front were beginning to tire out.
Mo Donegal and Nest took control in the famous long stretch of Belmont Park to finish 1-2 in the race. Skippylongstocking ran third. Rich Strike claimed 6th place in the race, leaving many to conclude that the horse was a lucky winner of the Kentucky Derby and did not match the ability of some other horses.
Repole was quoted as saying finishing 1-2 in the Belmont Stakes was the highlight of his racing career. Repole also owned Uncle Mo, a previous contender for the Triple Crown and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Takeaways From the 2022 Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes always holds a little mysticism and magic for bettors. It is, after all, the race which established Secretariat as perhaps the greatest race horse of all time. There was no such drama in the 2022 Belmont Stakes, but it was an exciting watch anyway.
As a betting event, the Belmont Stakes always presents a number of opportunities. Many bettors like to take a risk on the new shooters in the event. They think this is a good chance to score a longshot win if a favorite is vulnerable.
It was hard to look past Mo Donegal as a legitimate favorite for the race. Nest provided an interesting betting choice as a filly. It is rare to see any filly take the track in opposition to the males in a Triple Crown event.
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