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Best of 2024: The first Belmont Stakes at Saratoga

by Mary Eddy

To celebrate a remarkable year of racing action on the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit, the NYRA Press Office checked in with a selection of trainers, owners, jockeys and racing personalities to share their reflections on the memorable year.

For the first time in 156 runnings, the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets was contested at historic Saratoga Race Course to allow for the uninterrupted construction of a new and re-imagined Belmont Park. The prestigious final jewel of the Triple Crown saw the Danny Gargan-trained and Luis Saez-piloted Dornoch capture the 10-furlong test for sophomores after a dramatic stretch run when the son of Good Magic proved resurgent inside the final eighth to best Mindframe by a half-length with eventual Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic-winner Sierra Leone in third.

A sellout crowd of 50,000 racing fans witnessed the historic running of the Belmont Stakes, roaring to life at the start of each race on the 14-race card that included eight additional graded stakes events. In all, the Belmont Stakes program generated record handle for a non-Triple Crown running, with $125,748,941 wagered from all-sources and $60,904,557 wagered on the Belmont Stakes alone.

The 2024 Belmont Stakes proved a milestone event for both New York horse racing and the sport as a whole and held a public interest and energy unlike anything many horsemen, professionals, and fans say they have experienced. Among them were this year’s Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Danny Gargan and Saratoga’s track announcer Frank Mirahmadi, who each recalled the day as one for the ages.

Gargan, who began training horses regularly in 2013, won his first Grade 1 when Dornoch captured the Belmont Stakes. The 53-year-old native of Louisville, K.Y. has been a regular in the New York racing scene for several years, and typically stables horses at Saratoga for the majority of the training season that runs from April to November.

Gargan said winning the Belmont Stakes at one of his main bases was a milestone moment in his career.

“It was kind of a blur for 15 or 20 minutes after the race,” Gargan said, with a laugh. “I stable at Saratoga, so we are up there all summer. It’s a dream come true type thing because everyone dreams of winning a big race at Saratoga, much less the Belmont. He’s a horse I’ll look back on for years to come and always remember. I pray to God one day we get another one.”

Dornoch, campaigned by West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables, was an upset winner of the Belmont Stakes at odds of 17-1. Despite the colt’s lack of support from the betting public, Gargan recalled the raucous crowd that greeted Dornoch on his return back to the winner’s circle.

“When he was jogging back, you’re standing out there on the track with your help and… it’s a feeling I can’t explain. You get emotional,” Gargan said. “There’s people screaming congrats, and it was just crazy. Saratoga is special. Winning a big race at Saratoga is better than anything. If you can win one of the big races and it’s at Saratoga, it’s special. People just love racing there. I think it’s the most special racetrack in the world. It’s why I love spending so much time there.”

Track announced Frank Mirahmadi gave a similar account of the crowd upon Dornoch’s victorious return.

“It’s always great to hear the crowd acknowledge and cheer a horse like that when it’s not even the favorite or a horse everyone expected,” Mirahmadi said. “Dornoch earned that victory, and it was nice to see the crowd respond that way to him.”

Perhaps no one on the grounds at Saratoga had a better view of that immense and spirited crowd than Mirahmadi, who has been the voice of the Spa for the past three summers and attended his first Belmont Stakes when calling this year’s renewal.

Mirahmadi, who describes himself as a fan before anything else, detailed the scene below him on that memorable day.

“It was amazing to see all those people there for this big moment. I’m just a fan with an incredible view and a privilege to be able to call it,” Mirahmadi said. “Looking at the people and hearing the songs playing, looking around and seeing the smiling faces – everyone is happy.”

And even without a coveted Triple Crown on the line, the masses of fans that lined up in the wee hours of the morning, made their mad dash for the picnic tables, and sold out every seat in the grandstand made sure to voice their enthusiasm for each race offered on the day.

“The crowd got so into the race. I’ve never seen a crowd react to a horse so positively. It was electric,” Gargan said. “I’ve been coming to Saratoga a long time and have been there for the Travers, and Belmont Day was even crazier. The place came alive. They were insane that day – all day, the whole place. The last time I’ve seen a crowd react to a race like that was probably when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. I’ve never seen the Belmont that excited for a non-Triple Crown. The whole grandstand was crowded, and every race they were just roaring. I hope next year is just as good.”

For Mirahmadi, the moment that put the day’s significance into perspective happened shortly before the start of the Belmont Stakes when NYRA TV analyst Maggie Wolfendale shared the crowd noise with the national audience on FOX.

“In my earpiece, I had the FOX show on. As the horses were going to the gate, Maggie was at the top of the stretch and put her microphone out so that the audience could hear the crowd,” Mirahmadi recalled. “That was such an incredible moment, and I got goosebumps. It was one of those moments to absorb how huge this was. We had a terrific race, and it lived up to the hype. It was a tremendous renewal.”

And while the 2024 Belmont Stakes is now in the history books, there is still plenty to look forward to in 2025 with another exciting Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga from June 4-8 as construction of a new grandstand and racing surfaces is in full swing at Belmont Park.

Highlighted by the 157th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7, the Festival will offer five days of world-class racing and entertainment. Just a few weeks later, Saratoga will also host the July 4th Racing Festival from July 3-6, as a prelude to the traditional 40-day summer meet.

Mirahmadi said there is nothing more exciting than calling a jewel of the Triple Crown.

“It’s always fun to look forward to great moments, and my job is to celebrate great winners,” Mirahmadi said. “At Saratoga, we get to celebrate some pretty special and classy ones, so I’m looking forward to it again.”

Information about tickets and hospitality for both the Belmont Stakes and July 4th Racing Festivals will be available in early 2025.

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.