2020 Belmont Stakes

Last updated

152nd Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
Grade I stakes race
2020 Belmont Stakes logo.jpg
"The Run for the Carnations"
Location Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, U.S.
DateJune 20, 2020 (2020-06-20)
Distance1+1⁄8 mi (9 furlongs; 1,811 m)
Winning horse Tiz the Law
Winning time1:46.53
Final odds0.80 (to 1)
Jockey Manny Franco
Trainer Barclay Tagg
Owner Sackatoga Stable
Conditions Fast
SurfaceDirt
Attendance— [lower-alpha 1]
←  2019
2021  →

The 2020 Belmont Stakes was the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes and the 109th time the event took place at Belmont Park. It was run June 20, 2020, and was won by Tiz the Law, the first New York-bred winner of the event since Forester in 1882. [1] The race is one of the three legs of the American Triple Crown, open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds.

Contents

Due to concerns relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the race, which is normally the last Triple Crown race of the season, was run as the first race in the 2020 Triple Crown series and was shortened to 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) instead of the usual 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs), which it had been run at since 1926. [2] This was the first time since 1931 for the Triple Crown races to be run in a different order and the first time for the Belmont Stakes to be run as the opening leg of the Triple Crown. [3]

Background

Since 1969, the American Triple Crown has been scheduled to begin with the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, followed by the Preakness Stakes two weeks later in mid-May, and the Belmont three weeks after that in early June. [4] Major prep races for the series are normally run from three to six weeks before the Derby. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shutdown of several race meetings starting in mid-March, which led to the postponement or outright cancellation of several of these major preps.

The shutdowns led Churchill Downs to reschedule the 2020 Kentucky Derby to the first Saturday in September. Pimlico followed suit by rescheduling the 2020 Preakness Stakes to the first Saturday in October. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) decided instead to hold the Belmont Stakes on June 20, three weeks after racing in New York reopened on June 3. Because of the disrupted racing schedule, NYRA also decided to shorten the race from its traditional distance of 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) to 1+1⁄8 miles (1.8 km). The race thus went from being the longest race of the series, the so-called "test of the champion", to the shortest. NYRA had considered running the race at 1+1⁄4 miles (2.0 km), but this would have meant starting the race on the clubhouse turn — a serious disadvantage for some horses in a large field. "I think given the circumstances this was the best choice," said trainer Todd Pletcher of the revised distance. "A mile and a half wasn't going to fit many horses at this stage. It was the right move." [5] [6]

The Belmont was the first major sporting event in New York state since the pandemic began. The event was held behind closed doors, with NYRA's online and off-track betting was permitted via the NYRA Bets site and other OTB parlors. [7] Total prize winnings for the race were $1 million, down from $1.5 million the prior year. [8]

Field

After the new date and distance were announced in mid-May, the field was expected to have up to 16 starters. However, Nadal and Charlatan, both leading contenders trained by Bob Baffert, were subsequently injured. This left Tiz the Law as the clear favorite, and connections of several other contenders decided to skip the Belmont to focus on preparing for the Kentucky Derby. "There's other opportunities out there," said owner Barry Irwin of his decision to bypass the race. "Even though it's the Belmont Stakes, it's not the Belmont Stakes. Whatever prestige that would have come from it, that little extra something that makes you run in a race like that is lacking this year. If your goal is to get into the Kentucky Derby, why do you want to get your socks knocked off by Tiz the Law when you can go elsewhere?" [7]

The ten starters were: [9] [10]

Results

Only essential personnel such as trainers, grooms and a limited number of press were allowed to attend the race – not even the owners were allowed on site. Governor Andrew Cuomo gave the traditional call for "Riders up" remotely. Several sources commented on the eerie silence of the racetrack, with one comparing the experience to filming a movie. [11] "You come out of the tunnel on your horse and there's nobody there," said jockey Manny Franco. "But this is the world we are living in." [12] [13] [14]

Given the shortened distance and the dimensions of Belmont Park, the race started in a chute at the end of the backstretch. Tap It to Win went to the early lead and set a moderate pace. Tiz the Law raced in stalking position a few lengths behind, then launched his move on the turn. He moved by Tap It to Win near the head of the stretch and continued to draw away, winning by 3+3⁄4 lengths. Dr Post closed ground late to finish second. [13] [14]

Barclay Tagg became the oldest trainer, at age 82, to win the Belmont. [14] Tagg was previously best known as the trainer of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, who also won the Preakness but failed in his Triple Crown bid by finishing third in that year's Belmont. Both Funny Cide and Tiz the Law are owned by Sackatoga Stable, although the composition of the ownership group has changed over the years. Sackatoga's managing partner Jack Knowlton remarked on how rare it was for such a small operation to have such success. "We buy New York-breds — that's our game — and we don't spend a lot of money. We've been with Barclay Tagg for 25 years, and I keep telling everybody Barclay doesn't get a lot of big horses, big opportunities, but when he does, he knows what to do." [13]

Jockey Manny Franco earned his first win in the Belmont Stakes in his first start in the race. Tiz the Law became the first New-York bred to win the race since Forester in 1882. [14]

FinishPPHorseJockeyTrainerRecord†Morning
line odds		Final odds Margin
(lengths)		Winnings
18 Tiz the Law Manuel Franco Barclay Tagg 5–4–0–16–5 0.80$535,000
29Dr Post Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd Pletcher 3–2–0–05–1 7.90$185,000
33Max Player Joel Rosario Linda Rice 3–2–1–015–114.20$100,000
410Pneumatic Ricardo Santana Jr. Steve Asmussen 3–2–0–18–117.80$65,000
51Tap It to Win John Velazquez Mark Casse 6–3–1–06–1 5.20$40,000
62Sole VolanteLuca Panici Patrick Biancone 6–4–1–19–211.20$30,000
74Modernist Junior Alvarado Bill Mott 5–2–0–215–123.40$25,000
85Farmington Road Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher 6–1–2–015–117.60$20,000
96Fore Left José Ortiz Doug O'Neill 9–4–0–230–125.25—
107Jungle RunnerReylu Gutierrez Steve Asmussen 8–2–0–050–129.50—

† Starts–Wins–Places–Shows, prior to the Belmont Stakes

Times
DistanceFractionalSplit
1⁄4 mile23.11—
1⁄2 mile46.1623.05
3⁄4 mile1:09.9423.78
1 mile1:34.4624.52
Finish1:46.5312.07

Source: Equibase chart [15]

Payouts

Program
number		Horse nameWinPlaceShow
8 Tiz the Law $3.60$2.90$2.60
9Dr Post–$5.80$4.20
3Max Player––$5.20

Source: Equibase Chart [15]

Notes

  1. ↑ The event was held without a live audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmont Stakes</span> American stakes race for Thoroughbreds, part of the Triple Crown

The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is run over the worldwide classic distance of 1+1⁄2 miles. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds (57 kg); fillies carry 121 pounds (55 kg). The race, nicknamed The Test of the Champion, The Test of Champions and The Run for the Carnations, is the traditional third and final leg of the Triple Crown. It is usually held on the first or second Saturday in June, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The 1973 Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown winner Secretariat holds the track record of 2:24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Funny Cide</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (2000–2023)

Funny Cide was an American Thoroughbred champion racehorse who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was a popular horse and remained a fan favorite in retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Derby</span> American Thoroughbred horse race

The Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Since 2005, it has been run five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, which is held on the first Saturday in May. Thus the Florida Derby is currently run either at the end of March or the beginning of April. Added to the racing schedule in 1952, the Grade I race is run at 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt. The purse was increased to $1 million in 2011 but was reduced to $750,000 for 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purse was once again increased to $1 million in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barclay Tagg</span> American Thoroughbred trainer

Barclay Tagg is an American Thoroughbred horse trainer. Tagg graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1961. Tagg is best known for conditioning Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Funny Cide. Horses in Tagg's stable have included Tiz the Law, Showing Up, and Nobiz Like Shobiz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)</span> American Thoroughbred horse racing honor for winning three specific stakes races as a three-year-old

In the United States, the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, commonly known as the Triple Crown, is a series of horse races for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. The three races were inaugurated in different years, the last being the Kentucky Derby in 1875. The Triple Crown Trophy, commissioned in 1950 but awarded to all previous winners as well as those after 1950, is awarded to a horse who wins all three races and is thereafter designated as a Triple Crown winner. The races are traditionally run in May and early June of each year, although global events have resulted in schedule adjustments, such as in 1945 and 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sackatoga Stable</span> Thoroughbred racehorse racing and breeding operation

Sackatoga Stable is an American Thoroughbred horse racing syndicate in Saratoga Springs, New York. They are best known as the owners of 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide and 2020 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner Tiz the Law.

The 2003 Kentucky Derby was the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 3, 2003, and was won by longshot Funny Cide. There were 148,530 in attendance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Belmont Stakes</span> American thoroughbred horse race

The 1973 Belmont Stakes was the 105th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, held on June 9, 1973. Facing a field of five horses, Secretariat won by 31 lengths, the largest margin of victory in Belmont history, in front of a crowd of 69,138 spectators. His winning time of 2 minutes and 24 seconds still stands as the American record for a mile and a half on dirt. The event was televised and broadcast over the radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Belmont Stakes</span> 147th running of the Belmont Stakes

The 2015 Belmont Stakes was the 147th in the Belmont Stakes series. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion" and sometimes called the "final jewel" in thoroughbred horse racing's traditional Triple Crown series, was held on June 6, 2015, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The Belmont Stakes was the 11th race of a 13 race card which included 10 stakes races. Post time for race 11 was 6:52 pm EDT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Belmont Stakes</span> 148th running of the Belmont Stakes

The 2016 Belmont Stakes was the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion", is the final jewel in Thoroughbred horse racing's American Triple Crown series, and was held on June 11, 2016, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The race, which had no Triple Crown at stake, was broadcast by NBC beginning at 5:00 p.m. EDT, with pre-race coverage on NBCSN starting at 3:00 p.m. The race was won by Creator by a nose over Destin. 2016 Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator finished eleventh.

The 2004 Belmont Stakes was the 136th running of the Belmont Stakes. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion" and sometimes called the "final jewel" in thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown series, was held on June 5, 2004, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

The 2003 Belmont Stakes was the 135th running of the Belmont Stakes. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion" and sometimes called the "final jewel" in thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown series, was held on June 7, 2003, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing</span> The four major races thoroughbred races

The Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing is an informal name for winning four major Thoroughbred horse races in one season in the United States. The term has been applied to two configurations of races, both of which include the races of the Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes—and either the Travers Stakes or the Breeders' Cup Classic as the final race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Belmont Stakes</span> 150th running of the Belmont Stakes

The 2018 Belmont Stakes was the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes and the 107th time the event took place at Belmont Park. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion", is the final leg in the American Triple Crown. It is a Grade I stakes race with a purse of $1.5 million, open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The race took place on June 9, 2018, and was broadcast on NBC starting at 4 p.m. EDT. Justify won the race with a time of 2:28.18, becoming the thirteenth American Triple Crown winner.

The 1899 Preakness Stakes was the 24th running of the $1,000 added Preakness Stakes, a horse race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run on May 30, 1899 at the Gravesend Race Track on Coney Island, New York. The mile and a sixteenth race was won by Half Time over runner-up Filigrane. The race was run on a track rated fast in a final time of 1:47 flat that equaled the Gravesend track record for the distance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Belmont Stakes</span> 151st running of the Belmont Stakes

The 2019 Belmont Stakes was the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes and the 108th time the event took place at Belmont Park. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion", is the final leg in the American Triple Crown, open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Sir Winston won the race, with a time of 2:28.30.

Tiz the Law is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2020 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes. He was the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forester in 1882. He also won the 2019 Champagne Stakes and 2020 Florida Derby, and came second in the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Kentucky Derby</span> 146th running Kentucky Derby

The 2020 Kentucky Derby was the 146th Kentucky Derby, and took place on Saturday, September 5, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is one of the three legs of the American Triple Crown, open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The Kentucky Derby was originally scheduled for the first Saturday of May, but the 2020 running was rescheduled to September 5, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky. It was won by Authentic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Preakness Stakes</span> 145th running Preakness Stakes

The 2020 Preakness Stakes was the 145th Preakness Stakes, a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+3⁄16 miles. The race is one leg of the American Triple Crown and is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Belmont Stakes</span> 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes

The 2021 Belmont Stakes was the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes and the 110th time the event took place at Belmont Park. The 1+1⁄2-mile (2,400 m) race, known as the "test of the champion", is the final leg in the American Triple Crown, open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The race was won by Essential Quality.

References

  1. ↑ Zanzucchi, Mia (June 20, 2020). "Tiz the Law wins 2020 Belmont Stakes". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Belmont Stakes to be held June 20 at shorter distance". ESPN.com . May 19, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  3. ↑ Darcy, Kieran (June 18, 2020). "What to know ahead of an unusual Belmont Stakes". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  4. ↑ Janack, Phil (2020). "Delayed Preakness Poised to Make History". pimlico.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Belmont Stakes Goes From Longest Classic to Shortest". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Horse Racing: Trainers Adapt to COVID-19 Era Ahead of Saturday's Belmont". The New York Times. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Despite the Differences, It's Still the Belmont Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  8. ↑ Elkins, Kathleen (June 20, 2020). "Here's how much prize money will be awarded at the 2020 Belmont Stakes". CNBC . Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ Drape, Joe; Hoppert, Melissa (June 19, 2020). "Belmont Stakes Experts' Picks: Who Will Win?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Keeler Johnson's Belmont 152 Selections". cs.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Inside a Very Surreal, Very Symbolic Belmont Stakes, as a Sports Crown Jewel Returns". Time. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  12. ↑ Layden, Tim (June 21, 2020). "On a day with no fans at Belmont, Tiz the Law wins for Everyman". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 "Tiz the Law Earns Clear Victory in Belmont Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Drape, Joe (June 20, 2020). "Tiz the Law Wins an Unusual Belmont Stakes". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  15. 1 2 "Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets Grade 1 – Thoroughbred" (PDF). equibase.com. June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.