155th Belmont Stakes Preview

The 155th running of the Belmont Stakes goes this Saturday (June 10th). This will be the third and final leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. There won’t be a Crown at stake this time around, however, as two different horses won the first two races. 

As the Belmont’s unique, mile-and-a-half “Test of Champions” always proves to be a challenge, it’s tough to get a gauge on horses who may/may not get the distance.

It’s been a rough few weeks in the horse-racing community, equine deaths and injuries permeating the news. 

There were nine 3-year-olds entered into this race. Here a betting preview of the 155th Belmont Stakes, plus other stories around the event. 

Odds to Win Belmont

Before you get too deep trying to figure out which horse is going to win the Belmont Stakes, look at the odds. Here the current “early board,” according to Belmont Stakes odds.

When this story was written (Thursday morning), it was Forte, trained by Todd Pletcher, as the 19-10 (+190) choice to win, Forte was in that same position heading into the Kentucky Derby. but was scratched due to injury. He hasn’t raced since, so there are questions entering this race. He did draw post post position No. 6, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Here’s the complete field, listed in order of post position (including jockeys and early odds) 

• Tapit Shoes (Jose Ortiz, post No. 1) +2500 
• Tapit Trice (Luis Saez, post No. 2) +400
• Arcangelo (Javier Castellano, post No. 3) +1400
• National Treasure (John Velazquez, post No. 4) +600
• Il Miracolo (Marcos Meneses, post No. 5) +5000 
• Forte (Irad Ortiz Jr., post No. 6) +190
• Hit Show (Manny Franco, post No. 7) +1200
• Angel of Empire (Flavien Prat, post No. 8) +350
• Red Route One (Joel Rosario, post No, 9) +1800

National Treasure went wire-to-wire in the Preakness Stakes, adding the blinkers and controlling the pace. Trained by Bob Baffert, he’s not among the first flight of betting favorites at Belmont, but wouldn’t surprise. John Velazquez has the (post No. 4) assignment here. 

Angel of Empire (Flavien Prat, post No. 8) and Tapit Trice (Luis Saez, post No. 2) are two other horses to watch, as both have resumes which are quite impressive.

Mage, who won the Kentucky Derby and was third at the Preakness, was not entered.  

Horse Dies at Belmont

If you’ve paid any attention to the news surrounding horse racing over the last few weeks, you will know it’s not good. There’ve been a string of equine injuries and deaths, notably at Churchill Downs. Churchill closed early to investigate (racing was moved to Ellis Park).

Horse-racing officials have been keeping a close eye on the action, but tragedy struck during a race at Belmont Park last week. A 6-year-old horse suffered a catastrophic injury, immediately euthanized on the track.

Chaysenbryn collided with another race, clipping heels. Veterinarians didn’t think that surgery was an option. Another sad day in the sport. 

A difficult backdrop to the 155th Belmont Stakes, as has been the issue of Canadian wildfire-stoked poor air quality in the Northeast in general and the New York area in particular (as it pertains to this race). Belmont scrapped its Thursday card due to lousy air.

Forte the Choice

If Forte did not suffer a leg injury prior to the Kentucky Derby, we may have had a completely different storyline. He is returning, but away since April Fools’ Day and a win in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream. Thus, some questions.

This field has horses with credentials, but Forte gets the nod. 

Provided he’s fully healthy entering the race, he is clearly the horse to beat at the Belmont. Expect that National Treasure runs his usual honest race as well, but Forte is the choice.

Post time of the stakes-filled, 13-race card is 11:20 AM ET, with the Belmont (12th race) set to go at 7:02 PM ET.

There is always plenty of premier North American and international racing on which to wager, as per horse racing odds.