Best Belmont Stakes Bets

The 152nd Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday in New York. Normally, the final race of the Triple Crown, it will be the first this year and will take place without spectators.

• Belmont Stakes Lineup
• Best Belmont Stakes Bet
• Belmont Stakes Winning Times
• Belmont Stakes 2020 Best Bets
• Best Belmont Stakes Bets
• Belmont Stakes Best Bets 2020
• Belmont Stakes Free Picks

If she goes off anywhere near the 6-1 odds on the morning line, she looks like a good play. Belmont Park, Race 6, $175,000 Empire Distaff Handicap, 2:53 p.m. ET #2 Ratajkowski: She’s been a short price in her two most recent tries versus stakes company and disappointed last time out after a slower than ideal break. Regarded as the, “Best HD Video in Horse Racing” by racing fans, find out why most fans prefer the NYRA Bets app as the go-to source to watch and bet horse racing. With significant new member bonuses, on-track player perks, exclusive promotions, lucrative point rewards, player rebates and industry standard HD quality video, NYRA Bets offers.

ESPN's Chris Fallica gives us his best bets for the Triple Crown race, along with his thoughts on the day's earlier races.

Only four horses ran against Secretariat for the June 9 Belmont Stakes, including Sham and three other horses thought to have little chance by the bettors: Twice A Prince, My Gallant, and Private Smiles. With so few horses in the race, and Secretariat expected to win, no 'show' bets were taken.

Guide to the field

Horses listed in order of post position.

1. Tap It to Win (jockey: John Velazquez/trainer: Mark Casse) 6-1 ML odds

Mark Casse has a chance to be the first trainer since D. Wayne Lukas in the mid-1990s to win the Belmont in consecutive years. Tap It to Win ran a huge race vs. allowance company at Belmont Park two weeks ago and had some buzz as a horse that could wire the field. But I'm against him here. The rail draw means he will certainly face pressure from the outside, certainly from Fore Left, possibly from Modernist and potentially from one more horse I'll discuss later. He could hang on for a piece of the trifecta, but I'm standing against him for the top spot.

2. Sole Volante (Luca Panici/Patrick Biancone) 9-2

It's hard to knock this one, as he has run six times in his career, winning four and never finishing out of the money. He has no gate speed, so he will be coming from off the pace. Some might be concerned that he ran just 10 days ago, but remember in a normal Triple Crown year, it's 14 days between the Derby and Preakness, so the turnaround doesn't really concern me. Who he has beaten does. Independence Hall turned out to be a dud. King Guillermo beat him at a huge number in the Tampa Derby, and Jesus' Team isn't a highly regarded horse -- whom he just beat in the allowance. I will use him in a defensive fashion, as I'd hate to lose a ticket because I didn't have him on it, but I think you can find better options for second and on top.

3. Max Player (Joel Rosario/Linda Rice) 15-1

Belmont Stakes Lineup

Joel Rosario having the mount instantly grabs my attention. Rosario won the race last year on Sir Winston and has five exacta finishes at 9-1 or better in Triple Crown races. He rides long shots with success. Trainer Linda Rice has not had a great start to the Belmont meet, but Max Player was really impressive from off the pace in the 1⅛-mile Withers at Aqueduct, and it would be foolish to completely dismiss him as the pace could fall apart and he could crack the exacta at a very nice price.

4. Modernist (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) 15-1

Bill Mott usually finds his best Triple Crown finishes with long shots. Last year he won the Kentucky Derby via DQ at 65-1 with Country House. He won the Belmont in 2010 with Drosselmeyer at double-digit odds. Vision and Verse finished second to Lemon Drop Kid in the Belmont at nearly 30-1. So don't let the price deter you. This one won the Risen Star in a front-running, grinding fashion that does very well at Belmont. He lost all chance in the Louisiana Derby at the post draw when he drew post position 14. Despite that draw and the fact he was four- or five-wide the entire way around, he grinded out a third-place finish behind Wells Bayou and NY Traffic, who went around the track in merry-go-round fashion. A better draw and a home track edge makes this one very dangerous at a price.

5. Farmington Road (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher) 15-1

I thought this one-run closer could be a big factor in the Arkansas Derby, but that didn't happen. He'll be shorter than he probably should be because of the presence of Javier Castellano and Todd Pletcher. I don't think the race really sets up for him at all, and he is best ticketed for the lower rungs of the trifecta and superfecta.

6. Fore Left (Jose Ortiz/Doug O'Neill) 30-1

He was rerouted from the 7-furlong Woody Stephens to the 1⅛ Belmont, and I really don't know why. He's nothing more than a pace presence here and doesn't need to be on your tickets.

7. Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez/Steve Asmussen) 50-1

Why is this horse in the race? That's been a very common question thrown my way this week. I have a couple of theories. First, a fifth-place finish here would likely carry a better payday than winning an allowance race. The other theory involves Jungle Runner being an uncoupled entry-mate for Steve Asmussen's other horse, Pneumatic. When Creator won the Belmont in 2016, Asmussen entered a 55-1 shot Gettysburg to serve as part of the pace presence to soften up Destin, who was a threat to wire the field. He did his part, as Creator surged past Destin late to win the race. Now, Jungle Runner hasn't shown much speed in his career, so my theory could be completely off base, but I think he's here to serve as a rabbit/helper to the outside horse Pneumatic. He's certainly not in the race to get Calumet tickets for the race, that's for sure. But he doesn't need to be on your tickets.

8. Tiz the Law (Manny Franco/Barclay Tagg) 6-5

By post time, Tiz the Law should be the first odds-on favorite in a Belmont without a Triple Crown on the line since Bold Forbes won in 1976. He has done nothing wrong, winning at Belmont, Saratoga and Gulfstream fast tracks, with a third-place finish at Churchill Downs on a sloppy track the only time he has been beaten. He can be close to the lead or a little further back. His versatility makes him so good. Unless something really bad and unforeseen happens, I can't see him getting a great spot and trip here and not being a huge factor in the stretch. Trainer Barclay Tagg hasn't had a starter in a Triple Crown race since the 2008 Belmont when Tale of Ekati finished sixth. Jockey Manny Franco has ridden in two Triple Crown races. Franco finished 18th in last year's Derby on Spinoff and 17th in the 2015 Derby with Tencendour. The two were both 52-1 shots. So this is the first time Franco is really on a contender in a Triple Crown race. He's a very deserving favorite and will not only be tough to beat, but will also be very tough to keep out of the exacta.

9. Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr./Todd Pletcher) 5-1

I'm torn on this one. He has run two excellent races this year, but I'm not sure he has beaten much. He had every reason not to win in the Unbridled, but he responded with maturity when put in a bad position. But is he one of those Todd Pletcher horses that seems to just run well at Gulfstream and disappoint elsewhere? Irad Ortiz Jr. is seemingly winning everything these days at Belmont, so his price will probably be that of the second choice in the race, so I'd love to beat him for second, but I'll use him there too on some tickets because I don't want to potentially lose out of stubbornness. Since Tapwrit won the 2017 Belmont Stakes, Pletcher hasn't had a Belmont starter hit the board. It's the first time since 2004-05 that Pletcher has gone consecutive years without hitting the board in the Belmont. He's never had a stretch where he had a starter in the race three straight years and at least one didn't hit the board. So file that historical nugget away.

10. Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana Jr./Steve Asmussen) 8-1

I touched on him in the Jungle Runner write-up, but I think he, along with Modernist, are the most likely to upset Tiz the Law. Pneumatic broke maiden at first asking, then successfully stretched out to a mile in his second start and then was stuck on the rail in the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs cutting out all of the fractions -- a position that doesn't allow him to do his best running. Despite that, he gutted out a third-place finish, losing by less than two lengths to the undefeated Maxfield, who would be right there with Tiz the Law in this race. Pneumatic should absolutely move forward off that race and with the outside draw should fall back into a much more desired stalking or closing trip. And if my hunch about Jungle Runner is correct, then move him up even more. You'll want him all over your ticket.

Ways to play the race

Here are some suggested plays for the Belmont Stakes. I tried to offer something for every type of player. Obviously, adjust as your budget allows.

Thoughts on Saturday's other stakes races

Race 2: Woody Stephens

It's not often you see a Grade I race with only five runners, but here we are. Every runner in the field is guaranteed a piece of the purse money as a result. No. 1 No Parole won at Oaklawn from the rail and will have to do the same Saturday at a tough distance, but I'm inclined to stand against. No. 2 Meru looked like he had No. 4 Echo Town dead to rights at Churchill Downs, but he never went by. The pace should help him again, but trainer struggles in Graded Stakes races is a little concerning. No. 3 Mischievous Alex is 2-for-2 at seven furlongs and will likely get first shot at the pacesetter and then hold off jump on the closers. I'd happily take 5-2 on him.

Race 5: Pennine Ridge

Christophe Clement runners are running very well at Belmont, and No. 1 Decorated Invader looks like a short-priced winner at 6-5 on the ML. Between No. 3 Proven Strategies, No. 5 Vanzzy and No. 6 Maroon Maniac, there appears to be enough pace to set up her closing kick.

Race 6: Wonder Again

No. 2 Sweet Melania will have the pace edge and is a nice exacta key, but I'll lean toward No. 5 Selflessly. She won the Miss Grillo here last year and should get a similar trip to that Saturday. She had no shot in the Breeders' Cup with that post draw and should be set to win off the layoff. She is surprisingly the third choice on the ML at 5-2.

Race 8: Acorn

I'll lean toward No. 4 Casual at 3-1 here, given she draws outside the even-money favorite No. 1 Gamine, who looked beaten at Oaklawn in her last race. She again will have to deal with facing all the pressure. Casual should get the trip and a nice pace setup. No. 6 Pleasant Orb faces winners for the second time and could be a nice price play at close to 20-1 or so to boost the exacta and trifecta.

Race 9: Jaipur

No. 6 Hidden Scroll is in the field, and that's good for all of us that want a better price on a horse that can actually win. He's 8-1 on the ML but will undoubtedly get play. No. 5 Stubbins ran well in defeat in the Daytona at Santa Anita and should be ready to roll here in his second start off the layoff; 3-1 seems like a fair price on him. No. 3 Texas Wedge also comes out of the Daytona and certainly can win for Peter Miller, who has shipped and won at Belmont in the past; he's 4-1 on the ML. No. 4 Pure Sensation is the 5-2 ML favorite and always gives a respectable effort, was third in this race a couple of years ago and I doubt he's better now, so I would lean against him on top.

Online racebooks make betting on the Belmont Stakes an easy and streamlined process. The Belmont Stakes is a major horse racing event that will see horse racing bettors from all over the world putting action on the ponies. The American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race is one of the biggest races in the year. The event traditionally takes place on the first Saturday in June and online sportsbooks with large racebooks are the prime location for all the horse betting needs. The betting handle is huge during this major race so you don’t want to miss out on any of the action.

Betting on the Belmont Stakes is also heightened if there is a chance for a Triple Crown winner. The race takes place at Belmont Park, also known as The Championship Track. It has gained that nickname thanks to the history of every major American champion racing on the track. In this guide, we will give you all the information you will need to know about Belmont Stakes betting.

COVID-19 And The Belmont Stakes

The COVID-19 Pandemic definitely took a toll on the 2020 Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Stakes is usually the last jewel of the Triple Crown and in 2020, due to the coronavirus, that all changed. In the 2020 Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes was made the first jewel after both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes were postponed. There were also no fans allowed at the racetrack so that there would be no chance of a coronavirus outbreak there. The 2020 Belmont Stakes was won by Tiz The Law. The 2021 Belmont Stakes is set to go on as planned.

Is It Legal To Bet On The Belmont Stakes?

Yes, it is legal to bet on the Belmont Stakes no matter where you are in the U.S. In certain states, you’ll have race tracks and off-track betting facilities to be able to place your bets in person. There are also several major U.S.-based online racebooks that serve a majority of Americans but do not accept bettors from every state. There is only one avenue for Belmont Stakes betting that is legal for every USA player and that is through internationally-regulated online horse racing sites. These sites do not have to adhere to individual state laws, rather the laws of the country they are licensed in.

This means no matter what state you live in or are traveling to, legal betting on the Belmont Stakes is as simple as going online and choosing the right racebook. You can feel safe knowing that there are no laws that specifically target horse racing bettors. Instead, those laws are only aimed at unlicensed-domestic horse betting sites. Legal horse racing betting sites featured here are all free from persecution and users of these sites can feel safe knowing that they won’t be punished for using them either. Just be sure you meet the horse racing betting age requirement in your state before joining.

Best Belmont Stakes Betting Sites For 2021

Best Belmont Stakes Bet

Belmont Stakes Off-Track Betting

Many states have off-track betting facilities, often known as OTB facilities, or simply OTB’s. These are places that you can place wagers on horse races without actually being at the track the race is being run at. The following states have OTB facilities and are able to take wagers on the Belmont Stakes:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

If you are in one of these states, you can travel to your local OTB facility, or see if your state is one of the states with mobile horse race betting via a number of providers. You can also use the online racebooks like those found within the best online sportsbooks, which are available across America and are widely trusted in the online horse betting community.

Belmont Stakes History

The Belmont Stakes is held in Elmont, New York, in the famous Belmont Park. The Park’s claim to fame is its size - it was made in an age when horse race betting, especially in New York, was on a massive upswing, and it can hold over 50,000 people. It has rarely had to do so, as of late, and there’s something poetic about the biggest race venue in the country sitting empty even as it runs its most prominent race in years. This year’s Belmont Stakes is incredibly important, the first of the Triple Crown races, and yet, the stadium will be empty. Truly remarkable.

Past 10 Belmont Stakes Winners and Their Odds

Belmont Stakes Winning Times

2020 - Tiz The Law, the overwhelming favorite (-165), won a race that had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also the first race of the 2020 Triple Crown.

2019 - In 2019, the winner was Sir Winston, whose jockey was Joel Rosario. Sir Winston’s odds were 10/1, and he finished in 2:28.30.

Belmont Stakes 2020 Best Bets

2018 - Justify won in 2018, being ridden by Mike Smith. Justify ran the track in 2:28:18, won by one and three quarters lengths, and had 4 to 5 odds going in.

2017 - Tapwrit was ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, and ran the track in 2:30:02, winning by 2 lengths against 6 to 1 odds.

2016 - Creator, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., won the race in a relatively fast 2:28.51. Before the race, Creator had 15 to 1 odds.

2015 - The great American Pharoah, who won the Triple Crown, being ridden by Victor Espinoza, brought home the win in 2015. He did so in an astounding 2:26.65, winning by 5.5 lengths. Before the race, American Pharoah had odds of 3 to 4.

2014 - Tonalist won in 2014, being ridden by Joel Rosario. Tonalist rounded the track in 2:28:52, overcoming 12 to 1 odds.

2013 - The victory was taken by Palace Malice, being ridden by Mike Smith. This took him 2:30:70, although this time yielded him a victory by 3.25 lengths. Before the race, he had 13 to 1 odds.

2012 - Union Rags, ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Michael Matz, took the Belmont in 2:30:42. Before the race, his odds were 3 to 1.

2011 - Ruler on Ice won the race, being ridden by Jose Valdivia, Jr. and trained by Kelly Breen. He won the race in 2:30.88 by 3/4ths of a length. Before the race he was 25 to 1.

2010 - Drosselmeyer took home the win in 2010, being ridden by Mike Smith. He finished the race in 2:31.57, and before the race, had 13 to 1 odds.

Biggest Upsets In Belmont Stakes History

There are a lot of possible biggest upsets in Belmont Stakes history, especially as the odds in a given year might not necessarily match the odds in the next year. This can be a bit of a matter of debate, so here are five of the biggest upsets in Belmont Stakes history.

Best Belmont Stakes Bets

Sarava, 2002, 70:1 odds
Birdstone, 2004, 36:1 odds
Da’ Tara, 2008, 38:1 odds
Ruler On Ice, 2011, 25:1 odds
Commendable, 2000, 19:1 odds

Upsets are definitely a thing that happens in the Belmont Stakes - indeed, the Park is almost famous for the death of Triple Crown dreams. Many horses have entered the Belmont having won both the Preakness and the Kentucky Derby and lost anyway.

Biggest Favorites To Win The Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes Best Bets 2020

The top five biggest favorites to win the Belmont Stakes are a who’s who of incredible winners, and incredible horses. Topping the list, obviously, is Secretariat, who had astounding 1:10 odds to win the Belmont and did so by a monstrous 31 lengths. But, there are more great horses behind him! Check them out!

Secretariat, 1983, 1:10 odds
Seattle Slew, 1977, 2:5 odds
Affirmed, 1978, 3:5 odds
American Pharoah, 2015, 3:4 odds
Damascus, 1967, 4:5 odds

As you can see there are some seriously incredible horses that have run the Belmont Stakes, but beyond that, there are horses that have been heavily favored against the field at the Belmont.

Belmont Stakes Free Picks

Fastest Finishes In The Belmont Stakes

The topic of fastest finishes in the Belmont Stakes cannot be brought up without mentioning the great Secretariat, whose astounding 2:24 record in the 1973 running of the Belmont Stakes still holds up today. However, there are more excellent horses who have rounded the track within these hallowed walls in New York, so let’s check out the top five!

Secretariat, 1973, run in 2:24.00
Easy Goer, 1989, run in 2:26.00
A.P. Indy, 1992, run in 2:26.13
Risen Star, 1988, run in 2:26.50
Point Given, 2001, run in 2:26.56

This is a very common prop betting opportunity within the horse racing betting community - you will often see Over/Under lines on the total amount of time it will take the winner of the Belmont Stakes to round the track. Nobody has come close to Secretariat’s time in years, but one thing to keep in mind is that this year, instead of being a 1.5-mile race, the Belmont stakes will be a 1 and 1/8th mile race. This will impact betting on these lines, so it’s important to know.