OPINION | WALLY HALL: Mystik Dan gave state something to cheer

Maybe it should have been an upset.

The 155th running of the Belmont Stakes was run away from home at Saratoga and at 1 1/4 miles instead of the grueling 1 1/2 miles.

It started as expected with Preakness winner Seize the Grey trying to go wire-to-wire, but the fast pace was challenged by Dornoch who had a crowded trip in the Kentucky Derby. He held off Mindset and Sierra Leone for the win Saturday at 17-1 odds.

Sierra Leone might have won if the race had been a quarter of a mile longer, but the most expensive horse in the field -- a $2.3 million purchase -- again didn't have a clean race.

All day speed had been favored at Saratoga and Dornoch, who has demonstrated a desire to be on the lead in most of his races, was kept patient by Luis Saez until the head of the stretch and then he hit another gear.

Mindframe