Tiz the Law, with jockey Manny Franco, races past the finish line to win the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 20.
The Belmont Stakes, as we've never seen it before
Tiz the Law, with jockey Manny Franco, races past the finish line to win the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 20.
Brad Penner/USA Today Sports

Updated 7:14 PM EDT, Sat June 20, 2020

It's normally the last leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.

But on Saturday, for the first time in history, the Belmont Stakes was held before the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. The races were rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tiz the Law, the heavy favorite, won Saturday's race in Elmont, New York, by nearly four lengths. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since 1882.

Saturday's race took place without spectators, and it was shortened from a mile and a half to a mile and an eighth to account for all the changes in the horse-racing schedule.

Franco celebrates after the big win.
Franco celebrates after the big win.
Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network
The grandstand was empty, as spectators were not allowed to attend because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The grandstand was empty, as spectators were not allowed to attend because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Tiz the Law was the heavy favorite going in, and he backed it up with an impressive victory.
Tiz the Law was the heavy favorite going in, and he backed it up with an impressive victory.
Seth Wenig/AP
A closer look at the empty seats.
A closer look at the empty seats.
Seth Wenig/AP
Tiz the Law, center, leads the pack. Dr Post finished second, and Max Player finished third,
Tiz the Law, center, leads the pack. Dr Post finished second, and Max Player finished third,
Seth Wenig/AP
A message from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is broadcast before the race.
A message from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is broadcast before the race.
Brad Penner/USA Today Sports
Belmont workers watch an earlier race at the track.
Belmont workers watch an earlier race at the track.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Unneeded benches are stacked up at Belmont Park.
Unneeded benches are stacked up at Belmont Park.
Horsephotos/Getty Images
A horse gets hosed down on Saturday.
A horse gets hosed down on Saturday.
Seth Wenig/AP
Sam Grossman plays to an empty grandstand.
Sam Grossman plays to an empty grandstand.
Seth Wenig/AP
Patricio Gomez nuzzles with Wish before the start of an earlier race Saturday.
Patricio Gomez nuzzles with Wish before the start of an earlier race Saturday.
Seth Wenig/AP