Who is Todd Pletcher?

Todd Pletcher, an American thoroughbred horse trainer, won the fourth Belmont Stakes of his career after one of his horses, Mo Donegal, came from behind and raced to the finish line in Elmont, New York on Saturday.

Pletcher went into the 154th Belmont Stakes, having won the race on three previous occasions – with Rags to Riches in 2007, with Palace Malice in 2013, and with Tapwrit in 2017. Saturday’s win with Mo Donegal marked his fourth, a win that was made even sweeter by the second-placed finish of filly Nest, also trained by Pletcher.

Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1967, Pletcher’s interest in horses grew from an early age after he started working with his father, Jake, as a hot walker at the age of seven.

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While attending college at the University of Arizona, Pletcher spent a summer each with thoroughbred horse trainer D Wayne Lukas and Hall of Famer Charlie Whittingham, working as a groom.

After graduation in 1989, Pletcher moved to New York to work as a foreman for Lukas, but saw himself quickly rise through the ranks.

Pletcher then finally got his big break in 2004 when a three-year-old filly, Ashado, trained by him won the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

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The following year, Pletcher set a single season earnings record with more than $20.8 million in earnings, earning spots in the winner’s circle in ten Grade 1 races. In 2006, Pletcher went on to beat his own earnings record, winning $27.6 million.

No stranger to success, Pletcher has also won the prestigious Kentucky Derby twice, once with Super Saver in 2010, and the second time with Always Dreaming in 2017.

The 54-year-old has also won the Eclipse Award for Trainer of the Year a whopping seven times. In 2021, Pletcher was inducted into the United States Racing Hall of Fame for his immense contributions to the sport.