Jim Dandy, Haskell could be next for Belmont winner Dornoch

Trainer Danny Gargan won his first career Grade 1 as Dornoch, who also earned his first score at the level, gamely fought back along the rail to capture Saturday’s $2 million Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.

Gargan said Dornoch exited the race in good order, showing a lot of energy on a rainy Sunday morning in Saratoga.

“It’s exciting. We are really happy with the way he came back,” said Gargan. “We will just go from here to the next race and try to figure that out over the next couple of weeks where we want to go next.”

Gargan said that those options would include the Jim Dandy (G2) on July 27 at Saratoga and the Haskell (G1) on July 20 at Monmouth Park, with the long-term goal of the Travers (G1) on Aug. 24 at the Spa.

“It’ll be the Jim Dandy or the Haskell if he runs before the Travers,” Gargan said. “We will play it by ear and see what we think, just try to enjoy ourselves and see how the next week goes.”

In the Belmont, the Good Magic bay pressed the pace set by Preakness winner Seize the Grey, taking command entering the stretch under regular pilot Luis Saez as the then-unbeaten Mindframe rallied on the outside to put a head in front at the stretch call. Dornoch fought back along the rail to cross the line a half-length in front in a final time of 2:01.64 as Mindframe drifted out into the center of the course and then attempted to re-engage.

The effort was awarded a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure, much improved off his previous 75 when a troubled 10th from the inside post in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

“The Derby was a throw-out. When you get the one hole and you get checked out of there the whole race, it is kind of a toss,” Gargan said. “He’s more seasoned, he’s tougher now, so maybe that helped us win the Belmont. We wish we could’ve gotten a clean trip in the Derby, maybe we would’ve won it, but we are really thrilled and happy and pleased with what he did yesterday.”

Out of the graded stakes-placed Big Brown mare Puca, Dornoch is a full brother to Mage, who won last year’s Kentucky Derby. With such pedigree, expectations were high from the onset for owners West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables.

Gargan said he knew he had a special horse who was talented enough to live up to the hype.

“I told everybody last year that he is the best horse I have ever trained. We have always been high on him and liked him,” said Gargan. “He is a cool horse. I love him, and we are just blessed and lucky that we have him.”

Hoisting the August Belmont Trophy above his head Saturday marked the 52-year-old’s first American classic victory and career Grade 1, but Gargan spent time around many graded-stakes winners while an assistant for Hall of Famer Nick Zito, including Preakness-winner Louis Quatorze.

“I worked for him for a long time. We are still friends, we talk a lot,” said Gargan regarding the experience he gained. “I talked to him twice yesterday, he’s texted me already once today. I’ve got a horse in at Churchill, he’s going to go over and be in the paddock with him, help me out there today. Maybe Nick can get me into the winner’s circle in the Matt Winn at Churchill with Society Man.”

Gargan, who sends out graded-stakes placed Society Man in the Matt Winn (G3) Sunday at Churchill Downs, said the Belmont victory was a good one to bring back to his native Louisville, Ky., where his friends and fellow trainers Brad Cox and Dale Romans also hail from.

“Dale texted me right away, and I was just talking to Blake [Cox], Brad’s son. We grew up in that neighborhood right outside the track,” Gargan said. “It is a big thing just to be able to be in this kind of race, much less have the kind of horse to win, so it is special.”

Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine, Dornoch was a $325,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale. He banked $1.2 million for his Belmont Stakes triumph, bringing his earnings to $1,752,275 through an 8: 4-2-0 record.