Mo Donegal Powers Past We The People On Final Stretch To Win 2022 Belmont Stakes

Mo Donegal has won the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes in 2:28:28.

Betting favorite We The People looked to cross the finish line first after pacing the field from start to nearly finish, but was unable to hold off the final push from Mo Donegal, Nest and Skippylongstocking.

The result is a fourth Belmont Stakes victory for horse trainer Todd Pletcher, who won with Rags to Riches in 2007, Palace Malice in 2013 and Tapwrit in 2017. It's jockey Irad Ortiz Jr's second Triple Crown victory of his accomplished career. In many respects, however, Mo Donegal's victory is an unlikely one.

Donegal Racing, based out of Des Moines, Iowa, purchased Mo Donegal at the Keeneland September Sale for just $250,000. That's well short of the average cost for a Triple Crown race horse.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who skipped the Preakness Stakes, returned to the field but wasn't a factor. Rich Strike and jockey Sonny Leon largely raced in the eighth position and ultimately wound up with a six-place finish.

This is a developing story. Check back with OutKick for updates.