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Favorite Mo Donegal outlasts Nest to win Belmont, giving trainer Todd Pletcher a 1-2 finish

NEW YORK -- Triple Crown veteran Todd Pletcher had simple advice Saturday for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. before the Belmont Stakes.

"Be patient," Pletcher said. "I think you have the best last quarter of any horse in the race."

Sometimes, less is Mo.

Mo Donegal pulled away down the home stretch and held off filly Nest to win the Belmont Stakes, giving Pletcher a 1-2 finish and his sixth Triple Crown victory, including four at this track on the outskirts of New York City.

"To be honest with you, we were a little confident going into the race today," Donegal Racing CEO and co-owner Jerry Crawford said.