HORSE RACING

Why the Experts Like Mo Donegal in the 2022 Belmont Stakes

The 2022 Belmont Stakes is Saturday, June 11 with post time at 6:49 p.m. EST. Using TVG projections and Horse Racing Nation as a guide, here are the horse profiles for the 1.5-mile “Test of the Champion” at Belmont Park.

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As always, check the program for racing information, odds and monitor the weather and track conditions.

(I may reference BRIS and Equibase's Speed Figures, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

#6 Mo Donegal

Morning Line Odds: 5/2
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Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., Mo Donegal was installed at 5/2 on the morning line odds.

Mo Donegal is a top Belmont contender, according to Horse Racing Nation. He was gaining ground to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby. The race prior, Mo Donegal rallied from off well off the pace to win the Wood Memorial. His pedigree profile as a son of Uncle Mo and strong late speed figures suggest he should keep coming as the horses move down the deep Belmont stretch.

Mo Donegal’s BRIS Late Pace figure in the Wood Memorial was the fastest of any Derby runners, and having skipped the Preakness, this massive colt figures to revert back to an upswing and move forward as he owns prodigious stamina and should welcome the added ground.

Pletcher has sent a record 33 horses to the Belmont Stakes and won the race three times. He’s also trained six runner-up finishers here and also saddles Horse Racing Nation’s top value pick, filly Nest.

In the 153-year history of the Belmont Stakes, 65 times the post-time favorite has won the race. That includes Essential Quality (7/5) last year, Tiz the Law (4/5) in 2020, Justify (4/5) in 2018 and American Pharoah (3/5) in 2015. But there have also been eight Belmont winners with double-digit odds across the last 15 years.

Don’t be surprised if Mo Donegal goes off as the post-time favorite.