The Belmont Stakes is one of the top horse races in the United States. Held at the famous Belmont Park in New York, the race dates back to 1867. Known as “The Test of the Champions”, it is competed by 3-year-old thoroughbreds over a distance of 1 ½ miles.
The Grade 1 race attracts the best runners and riders from the US and the rest of the world, with the $1.5 million prize pool being shared between the eight entrants. The 2023 edition is on June 11, with Belmont Stakes betting tips being as in-demand as ever. On this page, we will record our top Belmont Stakes bookmakers while taking a closer look at how to pick a winner.
Latest Belmont Stakes Betting Tips
The Belmont Stakes is notorious for being fiercely competitive. For example, in 2021, Essential Quality was declared the winner, finishing just a single length clear of Hot Rod Charlie. This proves how challenging it can be to back the winning horse. It is for this reason that Belmont Stakes betting tips are so helpful. Ahead of race day, below are some key predictions to consider:
Tip 1: We The People to Win at 2/1 (3.00)
Having won the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 14, the Rodolphe Brisset-trained We The People is much-fancied for 2023. The 3-year-old won at Oaklawn Park in March 2021, finishing five lengths clear of its closest rival, having been the 2/5 SP favourite.
Tip 2: Mo Donegal to Win at 5/2 (3.50)
With three career wins already, Mo Donegal is considered one of the Belmont best bets for 2023. Having won the Maiden Special Weight race at Belmont Park in October 2021, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse followed it up with success in Grade 2 Remsden Stakes at Aqueduct. More recently, Mo Donegal won the War Memorial Stakes by a neck from the favourite Early Voting.
Tip 3: Each Way Bet on Skippylongstocking @20/1 (21.00)
While the Daniel Alonso-owned horse doesn’t have what it takes to win the Belmont Stakes, the recent winner at Gulfstream Park is worth backing for a placed finish. Having featured in four races in 2023 already, Skippylongstocking has recorded 2x top 3 finishes. Skippylongstocking is an outsider to keep an eye on in the Belmont betting.
Where to Bet On Belmont Stakes
Before figuring out how to bet on Belmont Stakes, it is important to know which bookies offer odds on the race. However, sites that provide the best prices, generous bonuses, faller insurance and a wide range of markets will appeal to punters the most. Our experts have tested all horse racing bookmakers available today, with the following being the highest scoring:
Can I Create A Profitable Belmont Stakes Betting Strategy?
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that a profit will be made, even with the best Belmont Stakes betting strategy. However, there are certainly ways in which you can improve your chances of beating the bookies. Below, we will outline exactly how to bet on horse racing online effectively.
Past Trends and Stats
Given that the Belmont Stakes has been running since 1867, not all history surrounding the race will be of value to punters today. However, key trends and statistics over recent years can undoubtedly be of use. So, ahead of the 2023 Belmont Stakes, the following are among the standout trends and stats to consider:
⏩ Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Belmont Stakes on three occasions since 2013. Palice Malice in 2013 and Tapwrit in 2017 are among those successes.
⏩ The USA has produced 9 winners over the last decade and 19 placings from 94 runners.
⏩ Jockey Joe Rosario has two wins from nine appearances, along with 5 placings. Irad Ortiz Jr and Mike E Smith have won the race on two occasions.
⏩ In 2020, Tiz The Law ran the race at a time of 1:46:53, the fastest in the last 10 renewals.
⏩ American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 won the Belmont Stakes in order to complete the Triple Crown.
⏩ Over the last 10 renewals, the following is where the SP favourite has finished: 3,4,1,11,2,1,2,1,1,1.
⏩ Where their last win was in a Class 2 race, no horse has won the Belmont Stakes. The overall record here is 0-34.
⏩ No female horse has won the Belmont Stakes over the last decade. However, there have only been 2 runners.
Racecourse Info
The Belmont Stakes is run over 1 mile 4 furlongs since 1826. Meanwhile, it was altered to a left-hand course in 1921. A flat dirt track is used each year, which all entrants will be more familiar with. The winning margin was never greater than 31 lengths.
Is it Worth Backing the Favourites?
One of the key statistics surrounding Belmont betting is that historically 42% of horse racing favourites have won the race. This is higher than most Grade 1 races globally. With only eight runners making up the race, the odds are not as spread out as the Grand National or Melbourne Cup. Meanwhile, the winner with the highest starting price was Sarava in 2002, with odds of 70/1 (71.00).
Trainers and Jockeys
When considering your Belmont Stakes betting strategy, it is vital to look at the trainers and jockeys associated with potential picks. No jockey has ever won the race more than James McLoughlin, who came out on top six times between 1882 to 1888. Meanwhile, James Rowe is the trainer with the most wins, totalling eight until 1913.
Prep Races for the Belmont Stakes
In order to get their prized assets into the best possible condition, trainers will enter horses into prep races in the months leading up to the big day. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes are the main feeder races, held on the first and third Saturday in May, respectively.
Elsewhere, the Peter Pan Stakes is a popular prep race, given that it takes place at Belmont Park just one month before the event. The table below shows the standout Belmont Stakes 2023 prep races, including when and where they take place:
Race | Racecourse | Location | Date |
Kentucky Derby | Churchill Downs | Kentucky | May |
Preakness Stakes | Pimlico | Maryland | May |
Peter Pan Stakes | Belmont Park | Kentucky | May |
Jeff Ruby Stakes | Turfway Park | Kentucky | March |
Blue Grass | Keeneland | Kentucky | April |
Santa Anita Derby | Santa Anita Park | California | April |
Wood Memorial | Aqueduct | New York | April |
Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park | Florida | May |
Arkansas Derby | Oaklawn Park | Arkansas | April |
Lexington Stakes | Keeneland | Kentucky | April |
It is the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes that will generally attract the most attention from players. Belmont Stakes bookmakers will also offer such runners short odds. Meanwhile, over the last decade, no Peter Pan Stakes winners have won the race too.
Who Are the Previous Race Winners
While it may not be necessary to the current Belmont betting odds, it is worthwhile being familiar with who has won the Belmont Stakes over recent years. The table below shows which runners and riders have come out on top at Belmont Park over the last decade:
Year | Horse | Country | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
2021 | Essential Quality | USA | Luis Saez | Brad H. Cox | 2/1 |
2020 | Tiz The Law | USA | Manny Franco | Barclay Tagg | 6/5 |
2019 | Sir Winston | USA | Joel Rosario | Mark E. Casse | 12/1 |
2018 | Justify | USA | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 4/5 |
2017 | Tapwrit | USA | Jose Ortiz | Todd Pletcher | 6/1 |
2016 | Creator | USA | Irad Ortiz Jr | Steve Asmussen | 10/1 |
2015 | American Pharoah | USA | Victor Espinosa | Bob Baffert | 3/5 |
2014 | Tonaist | USA | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | 8/1 |
2013 | Palace Malice | USA | Mike Smith | Todd Pletcher | 15/1 |
Best Belmont Stakes Betting Offers
Promotions are added by Belmont Stakes bookmakers ahead of the race. Of course, Belmont Stakes betting offers will come with terms and conditions. However, they can certainly be used to the advantage of players, helping to maximise winnings and minimise losses.
Standard promos include best odds guaranteed, price boosts, faller insurance and a free bet if your pick finishes 2nd to the SP favourite. Each of our top-ranked bookies also comes with a generous welcome offer, including free bets and matched deposit bonuses. When backing your favourite for the Belmont Stakes, keep a close eye on available betting offers.
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Other Notable US Horse Races
Being part of the Triple Crown means that there are at least two other high-profile races in the United States. Besides these, you can find numerous other notable events throughout the year. If you are a novice, don't worry. We have created detailed guides on all of them. You can find them below:
⏩ Latest Preakness Betting Tips
⏩ Pegasus World Cup Betting Tips
Complete List of Belmont Stakes Bookies
The Belmont Stakes is part of the famous US Triple Crown, with its history making it one of the most prestigious races in the world. Online bookies make it possible to place Belmont best bets on the race each year, with 90,000 fans travelling to Kentucky while millions watch at home.
With only eight runners and riders, those who successfully predict the winner can make a significant profit. In order to exploit the best markets, odds and features, be sure to sign up with one of our top-ranked bookmakers listed below.
Players must first sign up with an online bookie covering the race to bet on the Belmont Stakes. Deposit funds before browsing Belmont Stakes markets and potential picks. Be sure to check out Belmont Stakes betting tips before confirming your bet.
The 2022 Belmont Stakes Festival will take place from Thursday, June 9, to Saturday, June 11. Nine races feature on the opening day, while the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes is held on Friday, along with 12 other races.
That is the million-dollar question. When the confirmed lineup for the Belmont Stakes is announced, players will bet on their favourites. However, there is no guarantee that you will pick a winner. So, be sure to do your research before race day, looking at the recent form of entrants, as well as jockey and trainers.
Just eight contestants make up the Belmont Stakes. A draw is held to determine which post position horses will start from. Position 1 has delivered the most Belmont Stakes winners in the past, with 24.
The record was set by Big Red back in 1973 when it won by 31 lengths in a time of 2:24 flat. This is the record time when the Belmont Stakes has been run over a distance of 1 ½ mile.