Although there will be no Triple Crown winner in 2023, the Belmont Stakes is still a fascinating race ripe with storylines and betting potential.
This nine-horse field features a slew of horses that entered the Derby with high hopes, hoping their racing styles translate to the mammoth mile-and-a-half distance. Forte, the Derby favorite before it was scratched prior to the race, returns. As do Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire, two horses that garnered considerable interest in the same race.
With the field set and the odds board established, here is a look at Belmont Stakes, including our favorite bets from the race.
Belmont Stakes Odds & Position Draws
Here’s how Tuesday’s position draw aligned the horses for the final Triple Crown leg:
| POS | Horse Name | Odds To Win | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Tapit Shoes | 20/1 | Jose L. Ortiz | Brad H. Cox |
| 02 | Tapit Trice | 3/1 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher |
| 03 | Arcangelo | 8/1 | Javier Castellano | Jena Antonucci |
| 04 | National Treasure | 5/1 | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert |
| 05 | Il Miracolo | 30/1 | Marcos Meneses | Antonio Sano |
| 06 | Forte | 5/2 | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz |
| 07 | Hit Show | 10/1 | Manny Franco | Brad Cox |
| 08 | Angel Of Empire | 7/2 | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox |
| 09 | Red Route One | 15/1 | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen |
Horse racing odds for the final leg of the Triple Crown are current as of June 6 at 5 p.m. ET at DRF Sportsbook.
With only nine horses in the field and a long distance to travel, post position is much less of a factor in this race. Instead, however, we can zero in on a field that features a slew of horses hoping to rebound.
The distance here, of course, is the key factor. A mile-and-a-half is a massive step up for all horses in this race, and handicapping that element is where one should begin.
Belmont Stakes Win/Place/Show Predictions
With that information in mind, here are my top bets to finish first, second, and third at Belmont:
WIN Belmont: (8) Angel of Empire
The third-place finish in the Derby was impressive, and the horse seems to want to run further. In this race, that style should pay dividends. The 104 Beyer Speed Figure in the Derby, also best in this race, should help as well.
The horse is seasoned and conditioned to run off the pace. Not running in the Preakness means Angel of Empire should be fresh. The running style aligns perfectly for this long trek and our horse racing bet of the day.
PLACE Belmont: (2) Tapit Trice
My pick to win the Kentucky Derby never fired in that race. Tapit Trice finished seventh overall and never came close to contending. In a field as large as that race, however, weird results happen.
Up until the Derby, Tapit Trice had won four consecutive races and improved its Beyer Speed Figure each time. Also, it looks plenty comfortable riding long distances.
Pletcher is too good of a trainer to let this horse fire another blank. It will contend and is poised for a massive rebound.
SHOW Belmont: (6) Forte
Just what version of the horse will we see? The Derby chalk is back after being ruled out with an injury, and recent workouts would indicate the horse should be ready to go.
When right, Forte is one of the best three-year-olds in the world but the horse hasn’t run since April 23, and it will attempt to run a mile-and-a-half in its first race back. I expect Forte to compete for a win, although it ultimately comes up just short.
Read more about our favorite Belmont Stakes betting apps where you can wager on action at The Championship Track.
Belmont Stakes Sleeper To Win
(3) Arcangelo
Make no mistake about it; this isn’t a deep sleeper. At 8/1, however, Arcangelo has value as the fifth selection on the board.
With only one Grade 3 race on the resume, experience is still lacking. But what the horse lacks in experience it makes up for in speed. Specifically, we saw a huge jump in performance during its last race.
A Belmont win might be a little ambitious but the horse has ability, and it wouldn’t be shocking at all if it contends.
Belmont Stakes Best Bets
Note: Lines will change frequently from the morning lines due to activity at your online sportsbook. Make these bets regardless of odds.
Win/Place/Show: (8) Angel of Empire
I love this horse in this spot. As such, I am betting it to win, betting it to place, and betting it to show.
The Kentucky Derby finish is a piece of the puzzle, but it’s not everything. The horse was seemingly constructed to run this race and distance well, and I believe it will.
Exacta Box: (8) Angel of Empire + (2) Tapit Trice + (6) Forte + (3) Arcangelo
This is not a break-the-bank wager. In fact, if all three favorites come in, it could lose money.
But I like these horses enough that I will dabble with some exotics, starting with an exacta. We’re grouping four talented horses together and hoping they fill two spots.
Trifecta Box: (8) Angel of Empire + (2) Tapit Trice + (6) Forte + (3) Arcangelo
We’re using the same horses in a different bet, this time hoping that three of the four horses finish above all others.
All four are capable of running this distance and race well. It starts with Angel of Empire finishing first, and then we go from there.
Belmont Park Track Notes & Tips
Beware the Straightaway
The race is long, and it feels like the finish line will never come. Well, that is if your horse is on the lead when they come around the turn.
The distance of this race is never more prevalent than it is down the back stretch. Be patient when it arrives.
Pletcher’s Place
Since 2013, Todd Pletcher has trained three horses that have won this race. That includes the 2022 winner, Mo Donegal.
Pletcher has two live horses here in Tapit Trice and Forte, and both could obviously be factors.
