Belmont Stakes Odds and Picks
Hope we can repeat.
Last year’s Belmont Results Link.
Race 11) 1½ Miles G-1 Belmont Purse $ 1,500,000
To be kind, this isn’t the strongest field you’ll ever see in the Belmont. Unlike the prior two races, many in here may not be competitive in G-1 stakes in the future.
Odds
Position | Horse | Odds |
---|---|---|
1 | Joevia | 30/1 |
2 | Everfast | 12/1 |
3 | Master Fencer | 8/1 |
4 | Tax | 15/1 |
5 | Bourbon War | 12/1 |
6 | Spinoff | 15/1 |
7 | Sir Winston | 12/1 |
8 | Intrepid heart | 10/1 |
9 | War of Will | 2/1 |
10 | Tacitus | 9/5 |
Our top choices:
Bourbon War:
Will definitely have some value, because it appears I. Ortiz opted off this Mark Henning entry. Instead he takes a colt for one of his more regular trainers, Danny Gargan.
He’ll be replaced by Mike Smith. You can do worse.
Anyway, Bourbon War was my top choice in the Preakness, and he didn’t fire. Connections, as most do, expected more, but they think enough of this one to run back three(3) weeks later. He’s arguably had more tough breaks than others, and is worth inclusion at awfully benevolent odds.
Owner’s actually made the Mr. Ed comment after the race.
“We wish our horse could talk”.
War of Will:
He’ll take lots of money because he won the Preakness. That was done taking the least circuitous route possible. His final time going 1 3/16 miles was adequate, but nothing close to the track record. Then again, not many will beat that record. It was set in 1973 by Secretariat.
Tacitus:
Willing to forget his run in the Derby, although it really wasn’t that bad. He didn’t look comfortable early getting stuck 12+ lengths back, but acted professionally finishing 3 lengths behind the “sort of” winner.
The Good:
This colt won the Wood Memorial and Tampa Bay Derby (In record times for a 3 year old), He had some early trouble in each, getting bumped in one and squeezed in the other, but then got professional and easily converting.
The Bad:
Once overcoming trouble in the Wood and Tampa Bay Derby, he got pretty friendly trips. Neither of those races hardly ever lead to conversions in Triple Crown races.
As mundane as this may sound, it matters whom you’re racing against. On Saturday it may not be that much.
A good horse makes his own luck. Those that have speed and are the most professional, seem to get that luck.
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Contributed by John Rothschild
(Recent articles at SI, ESPN, Bloomberg News, New York Sports Scene, USRacing)
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