With just over a week to go before the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) it appears there are nine contenders pointing toward the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Here’s a look at the updated Belmont Stakes betting lines.
We have been lucky to see history in two of the last four years, with American Pharoah taking down the Triple Crown in 2015 and Justify sweeping the three classics last year, both for trainer Bob Baffert.
This year’s Belmont Stakes lacks the Kentucky Derby winner, but Preakness winner War of Will is back and is the current second choice in early wagering at +250.
The Mark Casse trainee will be the only three-year-old this year to compete in all three Triple Crown races. The colt crossed the wire eighth in the Run for the Roses and was placed seventh after the disqualification of Maximum Security, who veered in on the colt near the top of the stretch.
War of Will bounced back in the Preakness, rallying up the rail to win by 1¼ lengths and return $14.20 for the win.
The early favorite for the Belmont Stakes is Tacitus, who made a good late rally to finish fourth (placed third via the disqualification) in the Kentucky Derby. The colt is trained by Bill Mott, who also saddled Country House, who was the beneficiary of the disqualification to win the Derby.
Tacitus is the current solid favorite at +175 on the Belmont Stakes betting lines. The colt won his two previous Derby preps, taking the Tampa Bay Derby and Wood Memorial.
Belmont Stakes Betting: Master Fencer Third on Board
The Japan based Master Fencer was dismissed at 58-1 in the Kentucky Derby and ran well, making a belated rally to finish seventh, placed sixth, and beaten just four lengths. He skipped the Preakness and looks as if the 1½ mile distance of the Belmont Stakes will suit him. He is the current third choice at +700.
Everfast rallied from more than 20 lengths back to finish in the runner-up spot in the Preakness Stakes, coming up 1¼ lengths short of getting to War of Will. The Dale Romans trainee was sent off at +2900 in the Preakness and will be much shorter odds in the Belmont. His current early odds are +800.
Intrepid Heart has just three starts under his belt and one stakes try. After winning his first two starts the Todd Pletcher trainee ran third in the Peter Pan (G3) at Belmont Park in his last outing. The colt is +1200 on the Belmont Stakes betting odds.
Pletcher’s other contender Spinoff is also listed at +1200. The colt failed to fire in the Kentucky Derby in a 18th place finish, beaten 18 lengths. He was the runner up in the Louisiana Derby in his previous start.
Tax was 15th (placed 14th) in the Kentucky Derby. He was second in the Wood Memorial and won the Withers in his two previous outings. The Danny Gargan trainee is +1200.
Sir Winston made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot in the Peter Pan in his last start. He was beaten 19 lengths when seventh in the Blue Grass at Keeneland in his previous start. The Casse trainee is +1600.
Completing the field at this point is Joevia, who won the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park in his last start. The Greg Sacco trainee is the longest price right now at +2500.
Entries will be drawn on Tuesday, June 4 and we still could see a few additions to the field in the upcoming days.