The 154th Belmont Stakes, Presented by NYRA Bets, became a fantastic New York tale.

On Saturday at Belmont Park, veteran owner Mike Repole, who proudly refers to himself as "Mike from Queens," had a one-two finish with Mo Donegal and the filly Nest in a race he craves more than any other.

"It's a 40-year dream come true," said Repole, 53, who was overcome with emotion. "As a child from New York, coming to this track and Aqueduct, this is New York's race."

In the final leg of the Triple Crown, Repole had six previous starters. Stay Thirsty had given him his most nuanced performance, coming in second to improbable longshot Ruler on Ice in 2011.

"I went back and watched the replay 150 times." "I'm not going to watch that replay again," Repole stated of the unfortunate result. "Getting a first and second here compensates." This was an essential aim of my racing career, and I just completed it with a one-two finish."

The fact that Mo Donegal is the son of Uncle Mo, the extraordinary 2-year-old champion that Repole campaigned for in 2010, contributed to the joy of the victory. However, the colt was star-crossed the following season when he suffered an unusual condition and had to be scratched the day before the Kentucky Derby. He never recaptured the brilliance he demonstrated as a youngster, missing all of the Triple Crown events.

When Repole chose to buy a 25% stake in Mo Donegal from Donegal Racing the week before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Uncle Mo connection was crucial. Mo Donegal was in jeopardy from the start after finishing fifth in the Run for the Roses, thanks to the new ownership group's misfortune of drawing the rail.

Todd Pletcher, who has worked with Repole for a long time, achieved his fourth Belmont victory. He is tied for fifth all-time with Max Hirsch, R.W. Walder, and old mentor D. Wayne Lukas. James Rowe (number eight) is first, followed by Sam Hildreth (number seven), "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons (number six), and Woody Stephens (number five).

Pletcher's first three Belmont victories were with the fillies Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013), and Tapwrit, all of whom are based at Belmont Park (2017). Interestingly, all four horses avoided the Preakness and the two-week turnaround from the Derby.

"Coming here soon after the Oaks and Derby and getting the horses settled in and exercising over the track," the Hall of Fame trainer remarked, adding, "It's hardly rocket science." We're trying to make the most of our time at home."

It was also a big day for the Ortiz brothers, who were dressed in the royal blue and orange silks of Repole, a die-hard Mets supporter. In the one 1/2-mile Test of the Champion, Irad chased predicted front-runner We the People before pouncing with Mo Donegal as they turned for home. Jose was riding Nest, who tripped out of the gate but immediately rallied to finish third in the early going. She fought hard in the last strides and dug in to become only the fourth filly to win the Belmont Stakes. She was three lengths behind her stablemate at the final line.

After the wire, Irad and Jose moved their mounts closer together so they could slap hands. In 2016, Irad also won the Belmont with Creator.

Irad stated his second Triple Crown victory, "It's incredibly wonderful." "I've been collaborating with him throughout the winter." They kept putting me on, and he continued to improve.

This raises the possibility that he will be recognised as a one-race wonder.

Rich Strike's trainer, Eric Reed, remarked, "We were hoping we could have been a little closer, and our pace was slow." "The greatest change we made was staying a little off the fence to allow him a wide, free run where he could go off." His head twisted the entire way, attempting to go inside. I guess not putting him on the fence was a mistake."

Skippylongstocking came in third after putting a lot of pressure on We the People, the winner of the Peter Pan Stakes. Mo Donegal clocked a time of 2:28.28 to complete the challenging distance. For a $2 win wager, he returned $7.20.

We, the People, Creative Minister, Rich Strike, Barber Road, and Golden Glider rounded out the remaining finish order.