The Bill Mott trained Tacitus, who crossed the wire fourth and was placed third in the Kentucky Derby (G1), is the early betting favorite on the Belmont Stakes odds for June 8.
The third jewel of the Triple Crown appears likely to draw nine or ten contenders, with Tacitus currently favored at +200.
His main foe will be War of Will, the winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico on May 18. The colt took the brunt of the interference in the Kentucky Derby where he weakened to finish eighth, placed seventh after the disqualification of Maximum Security.
In the Preakness War of Will was sent off at +610 where he stalked the early pace and got a dream trip coming up the rail under jockey Tyler Gaffalione to win by 1 ¼ lengths over Everfast and Owendale, who both are likely to head to New York to attempt to turn the tables.
War of Will is the second choice in early wagering at +333 on the Belmont Stakes odds.
Game Winner is the current third choice at +400. The colt was placed fifth in the Kentucky Derby. The colt was the champion juvenile last year after winning all four of his starts including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
However, he has come up short in his three starts this year. He was second in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park and then the runner up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) behind his stablemate Roadster before his fifth in the Derby.
His trainer Bob Baffert has won the Belmont in two of the last four years. Baffert said a final decision on his participation in the race will come later this week.
Belmont Stakes Odds: Owendale Trails Favorites on List
Owendale, who came with a good late rally and was beaten just a nose for the runner-up spot in the Preakness, is listed at +600 on the early Belmont Stakes odds.
The colt was an impressive winner of the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland in his previous outing. The colt is trained by Brad Cox.
Everfast was the surprise runner-up finisher in the Preakness at odds of +2900. He was beaten in his three previous starts by a combined 43 lengths. His current odds for the Belmont are +1000.
The Japan based Master Fencer checked in sixth in the Kentucky Derby and will head to New York. His current odds are +1000.
Trainer Todd Pletcher will send a pair of runners, Intrepid Heart and Spinoff. Pletcher has saddled the Belmont winner three times, with the filly Rags to Riches in 2007, Palace Malice in 2013 and Tapwrit in 2017.
Intrepid Heart is listed at +1200. The colt won his first two career starts, then was third in the Peter Pan (G3) over the Belmont Park main track in his stakes debut on May 11.
Spinoff was not a threat in the Kentucky Derby in an 18th place finish. The colt had previously finished second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.
The Danny Gargan trained Tax is looking for a better effort after being placed 14th in the Kentucky Derby. The colt won the Withers (G3) and was second in the Wood Memorial (G2) in his final two Derby preps. The colt is currently listed at +2000 in early Belmont Stakes odds.
The Belmont Stakes is one of 10 stakes races on an outstanding betting card at Belmont Park on June 8.