Doncaster St. Leger
From its origins in 1776, the St. Leger is the oldest of the five “Classic” races in England. It is always the last of the Classics to run and is the final leg of the English Triple Crown. Another of the Group 1 flat races, the St. Leger is currently set at one mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards in length. This has varied several times over the last two hundred years. Run exclusively for three-year-olds, the St. Leger was originally a two mile race. It was established at its current location at Town Moor in Doncaster in 1778.
The popularity of the St. Leger rose in 1800 with the Double Crown Derby/St. Leger win by the thoroughbred Champion. By 1853 West Australian became the first horse to take the Triple Crown victory. The race was removed to safer locations during the World Wars with the 1939 race being cancelled entirely due to the outbreak of World War II.
One of the top favorites for the 2010 running of the Doncaster St. Leger Stakes is The Geezer with 6/1 odds in his favor. Also considered being capable of contending the field are Scorpion, Avalon, Tawqeet, and Hard Top. Scorpion has already placed second in the Irish Derby and is carrying 3/1 odds for a successful fall run at Doncaster although some betters do not feel he will have the stamina to compete by the end of the season.
Betting on the St. Leger has always been enjoyable as there is an entire summer of racing to get a gauge on the capabilities of the contestants running this great Classic horse race.