Castellano, Pletcher Take Belmont Titles
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With two wins on closing day, jockey Javier Castellano sewed up his third straight spring/summer meet title at Belmont Park, while Todd Pletcher had an insurmountable lead to garner top trainer honors.
Castellano, who last year shared the meet's jockey title with Irad Ortiz, Jr., rode 56 winners at the meet, which ended July 19, two more than Ortiz in second. Castellano and Pletcher teamed up for numerous victories, including graded stakes scores in the grade III Bed o' Roses (Dame Dorothy), grade II True North (Rock Fall), and grade II Peter Pan (Madefromlucky).
Pletcher lost a nose decision with the last horse he saddled at the meet and fell one win shy of tying trainer David Jacobson's record of 44 victories.
Pletcher finished well clear of Chad Brown, who checked in at second with 33 wins, while Hall of Famer Bill Mott's 25 victories were third-best.
Finishing in sixth in the trainer standings, Jacobson didn't walk away from the meet empty, taking home leading owner honors by a margin of 13-11 over Michael Dubb. Godolphin Stable finished third with eight victories.
On the heels of his second straight Belmont spring/summer meet title, Pletcher will attempt to win top trainer honors for the sixth straight year and 12th time overall when racing commences at Saratoga Race Course July 24.