Belmont Stakes Betting Guide
by TVG Staff
Last Updated: June 7, 2024
The 156th edition of the Belmont Stakes is coming up tomorrow, Saturday, June 8. That is its usual place on the calendar, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness. However, for the first time in Belmont Stakes history, the race will be run at the historic Saratoga Race Course, because Belmont Park is under construction.
The purse for the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown is a rich $2 million, up from $1.5 million. Even though the distance is shorter than usual – due to the Saratoga track configuration, the Belmont Stakes will be run at 1 ¼ miles instead of the traditional 1 ½ miles – it is still an exquisite test of stamina and will require a perfect combination of form and class to win.
The longest of horse racing’s Triple Crown races, the Belmont is called “The Test of the Champion” for good reason. Greats like Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and American Pharoah have cemented their places in horse racing history by winning the Triple Crown at Belmont. And, some of the all-time greats who did not win the Triple Crown still won the Belmont: consider Colin, Man O’ War, Native Dancer, Easy Goer, and A. P. Indy.
Belmont Stakes Odds and Field
The field for the Belmont Stakes was drawn on Monday, June 3. Entries were taken the day before, but draws for the Belmont and the Met Mile (G1) were not finalized until a ceremony Monday evening in Saratoga.
The 2024 Belmont Stakes attracted a field of 10. Both winners of the previous Triple Crown races, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey, return to the starting gate for the final jewel. Sierra Leone, beaten at Churchill Downs by just a nose by Mystik Dan, is favored in the morning-line Belmont Stakes odds.
In addition to several other foes from the previous Classics, they will also see some new faces. Mindframe, despite his lack of stakes experience, is the second choice on the morning line after two impressive victories. Another interesting new face is The Wine Steward, who has yet to win a graded stakes but has repeatedly finished a close second against class horses.
This is the field for the Belmont Stakes including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and official morning-line odds for each runner:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seize the Grey | D. Wayne Lukas | Jaime Torres | 8-1 |
| 2 | Resilience | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 10-1 |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | 5-1 |
| 4 | The Wine Steward | Mike Maker | Manny Franco | 15-1 |
| 5 | Antiquarian | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 12-1 |
| 6 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 15-1 |
| 7 | Protective | Todd Pletcher | Tyler Gaffalione | 20-1 |
| 8 | Honor Marie | Whit Beckman | Florent Geroux | 12-1 |
| 9 | Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 9-5 |
| 10 | Mindframe | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 7-2 |
Belmont Stakes Betting Guide
The race is a special betting challenge because it is so much longer than most races. Unusually for the Belmont Stakes, there will be a little form at the distance: since it covers 1 ¼ miles at Saratoga, any horse who ran in the Kentucky Derby has one race at the distance. But, that’s only one data point. It requires analysis of form cycles, pace, and an extra-keen look at the distance abilities of the horses. Making good decisions based on this information, and translating them into good bets, is the key to making a profit when playing the Belmont Stakes online or in person.
Belmont Stakes Handicapping Strategies
From a pace perspective, unless there are several need-the-lead types in the field (a rarity in a race as classy as the Belmont Stakes), the race tends to favor horses with a frontrunning or stalking style. The idea that closers will, by definition, do better in the Belmont Stakes than in previous races because it is longer is a fallacy: just like any other horse, a closer who does not have the stamina to stay 1 ½ miles, or even 1 ¼ miles, will flatten out and get tired late, too.
When assessing horses’ form going into the Belmont Stakes, look to see how the horses are handling the distances as they get longer. If they need a cut back to one turn, or even a relatively short two-turn distance like a mile or 1 1/16 miles, then the longer Belmont Stakes distance may be too much. But, if they thrived as races on the Derby trail get longer, or they took a nice step forward in a race at a Classic distance, you may have a horse who can stay the Belmont Stakes race distance.
Pedigree can also unlock a Belmont Stakes betting choice. Tapit is a good name to find in the pedigree since he has sired four Belmont Stakes winners. However, there are a lot of horses related to Tapit who get pointed to this race now, meaning it is profitable to look deeper. If a horse has close-up relatives who have produced Belmont Stakes winners or other winners of longer-than-average races on any horse racing surface, you can make an educated bet that they will stay the Belmont trip. This includes the female family: it can be extra profitable to take a few minutes to see who their dams and female families have produced, and see if there is some Belmont Stakes race distance form there.
Belmont Stakes Wagering Strategies
Before betting on Belmont Stakes horses, make sure you are familiar with the full range of Belmont Stakes wagering options! There is a broad range of bets available on the Belmont Stakes, and being able to use your opinions about the horses to find out where they would fit best in your wagers is your ticket to profits.
Belmont Stakes Single-Race Strategies
Here’s an explanation of the main single-race bet types on offer::
WIN BET– If you choose the winning horse, you get paid.
PLACE BET– This time your pick must finish in the first two.
SHOW BET– Your horse must finish in the first three to get a return.
On the pari-mutuel system, your return depends on how much money is in the betting pot overall, divided by how many bets are placed on your horse. With this in mind, the highest payouts are generally on win bets as this is the hardest bet of the three to get right, the second-highest returns are on place bets and the lowest returns are on show bets. Track odds on the TV and tote board are typically win bet odds, though you can also gauge pools for place wagers and show wagers on TVG, or on the tote board if you are at the track.
Should you wish to make things a little more interesting in the Belmont Stakes betting you could try playing exotic bets instead. The simplest single-race exotic is an Exacta. Placing an exacta involves picking two horses and they must finish first and second in the correct nominated order for you to get paid.
Payouts on correct exactas can be pretty big but if you are confident in your two picks but not in the order they’ll come home in, you can box this bet. Boxing the bet means you pay double, but it doesn’t matter in which order your two horses finish so long as they are first and second.
To go for an even bigger pay day you may try a Trifecta bet too. The rules are the same as above for these exotic wagers, only this time you’re picking out three horses to finish 1-2-3 in the exact order. Once more you can pay extra to box the bet so that they may finish in the first three in any order.
The Superfecta is run under the same conditions but involves four horses; get that right and you have the right to either call yourself a pro or at least count your lucky stars!
Exactas, trifectas, and superfectas add an interesting angle to betting on Belmont Stakes horses not only because of the big payouts, but also because they can help you make money off of an opinion around a horse who you think can finish in the money but not win. If there is a horse who finishes second a lot, or who you think can run a good enough race to hit the board but may find one or two too good? Play that horse underneath in an exacta, trifecta, or superfecta. If you’re right, you’re in for a great payday.
Belmont Stakes Multi-Race Strategies
In addition to these single-race bets, there are also multi-race wagers that can help you cash big. Instead of trying to pick horses you think can finish second, third, or fourth in the Belmont Stakes, you instead choose horses you think can win consecutive races on the card.
These bets include the daily double (choosing the winners of two consecutive races), Pick 3 (three races in a row), Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6.
The New York Racing Association also runs a multi-race bet called the Grand Slam That wager covers a four-race sequence. In a Grand Slam, a bettor collects money if their horses in the first, second, and third legs of the pick finish in the top three, and then their pick in the fourth race wins.
Belmont Stakes Online Betting
It’s a great thrill to bet the Belmont Stakes and really feel involved in it all, especially if you can be present to walk up to the teller and collect your cash in person. You don’t have to be at the venue to do this though and in fact you can bet online, on Belmont Stakes day and beyond, right here at TVG.
Choosing Your Bet
You can always read up on the form of each intended runner to check out their relative strengths and weaknesses, take note of workout times, and check on the breeding to see who may be suited by this, the longest distance these horses will probably ever run.
Our Belmont Stakes picks page can also help you choose your horses and your bets. Whether you would like to build your bets around what an expert thinks, or you just want a little more help making sense of the field, our picks can help guide you in a winning direction!
The Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown
The Belmont Stakes traditionally takes place five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, and three weeks after the Preakness.
Over the winter and all through spring, we have dozens of well-bred horses all touted as potential Triple Crown and Classic contenders by their connections, but by the time the Belmont rolls around we usually truly know who the best three-year-olds in the country are.
The Kentucky Derby takes place over 1¼ miles, and the Preakness over 1 3/16 miles. The traditional Belmont distance is 1 ½ miles, and though it will only be run at 1 ¼ miles at Saratoga, that is still a demanding distance given how comparably short most races are. Only the toughest and most versatile horses have a chance of landing the Belmont Stakes title.
The History of the Belmont Stakes
Only the best and the toughest come to Belmont Park each year in June to contest this race, which has led to it being known over the years as the Test of the Champion. Given its place in the racing calendar, the Belmont Stakes is synonymous with the world-famous Triple Crown series and is now in its 156th year.
The Early Years
The Belmont Stakes has been a popular fixture on the racing schedule since way back in 1868, staged originally at Jerome Park and Morris Park until it found its current and permanent home at Belmont in 1905.
When anti-gambling legislation was passed, Belmont Park was closed between 1911 and 1912 with the result being that this race was cancelled though happily it quickly returned and history was made in 1920 when the famous Man O’War won the race by 20 lengths, setting a new record in doing so.
In fact, the term ‘Triple Crown’ was first coined colloquially when Gallant Fox won three big races in 1930 though it wasn’t used more widely until 1935 when Omaha repeated that success. The idea of an official Triple Crown title then evolved and so Sir Barton was retroactively given the same label.
In 1931 the order of the races became the Kentucky Derby first, the Preakness Stakes second and then finally the Belmont Stakes in June. Things have remained the same to this day, except for in 2020 when races were rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Belmont Stakes In Recent Times
Given the grueling schedule, it’s perhaps not a surprise that the Belmont Stakes has been the race where many Triple Crown candidates have seen their dreams come to an end. Between 2002 and 2004, three Belmont Stakes in a row saw horses arrive looking to land the Triple Crown having won the first two races in the shape of War Emblem, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones, only to have all three end up beaten in New York.
Crowds have grown in recent times with around 100,000 people regularly attending this event and they have been treated to some great scenes; American Pharoah and Justify becoming the 12th and 13th Triple Crown winners in 2015 and 2018.
Belmont Stakes Race Conditions
Just as is the case with the other two Triple Crown legs, three-year-olds only can enter this race with colts and geldings set to carry 126lbs and the fillies 121lbs.
Entry Limits
The Belmont Stakes has a safety limit of 16 starters in the gate, so as you can imagine places in the final line-up for the big race are very valuable indeed.
Unlike the Kentucky Derby, there is no points system to get into the Belmont Stakes. Primarily, horses qualify for this race based on their career earnings to date. Horses who ran well in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes frequently run in the Belmont Stakes. It is also helpful to run well in other rich stakes races like the Blue Grass, Wood, and Peter Pan.
Ponying Up
The Run for the Carnations is no cheap race to enter, nor should it be with it being one of the most prestigious races on the American racing calendar.
To pass the entry box, owners will need to pay up $15,000 plus another $15,000 for the final starting places. If an owner wants to be nominated for the Belmont Stakes but has not already nominated their horse for the Triple Crown, it will cost an extra $50,000 to supplement them. However, if their form and stamina are good enough, the purse is high enough to make that investment pay off!
The Purse
In 2024, the Belmont Stakes offers a $2 million purse, up from the $1.5 million of last year. Though this is less than the $5 million on offer in the Kentucky Derby, it is on par with the base purse of the Preakness Stakes and it is still one of the richest and most prestigious events in the horse racing world.
Saratoga Race Course
Though Belmont Park is the traditional home of the Belmont Stakes, the track is under construction. Thus, the Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga for the first time ever in 2024. It will return to the Spa in 2025, before an expected return to Belmont Park in 2026.
Saratoga may not be the usual venue for the Belmont Stakes, but the track is steeped in history and tradition. In fact, Sports Illustrated rated it as the number 10 sports venue of the 20th Century in 1999. Saratoga has two popular nicknames—The Spa, named for the nearby mineral springs, and the Graveyard of Favorites, named for the historic upsets recorded there in years past. Perhaps most notable is Man o' War’s only defeat in 21 starts, behind the aptly-named Upset, and Secretariat’s loss to Onion after winning the Triple Crown.
There are three separate horse racing tracks at Saratoga: a main dirt track; an outer turf track known as the Mellon Turf Course, and an inner turf track. The main dirt track has a 1 1/8 mile circumference, the Mellon Turf Course is a 1-mile turf track and the inner turf track is seven furlongs. Additionally, there is the Oklahoma Track, used for warming up and training
Belmont Park
Situated right on the outskirts of New York City in Elmont, Belmont Park has been open for business and hosting this race since 1905.
The main dirt track here has got not only bigger dimensions than most around the country giving it the nickname “Big Sandy”, but it also tends to be quite deep meaning the 1½ mile distance in this race really tests these young thoroughbreds out.
Huge crowds can be accommodated just as they are at both Churchill Downs and Pimlico, in fact over 120,000 were in attendance for Smarty Jones’s Triple Crown attempt back in 2004 only for Birdstone to play the villain and upset the favourite after he blew the start.
Belmont truly is one of the USA’s premier tracks and hosts not only this event but races such as the Suburban Handicap, the Mother Goose Stakes and the Man O’War Stakes among others.
Belmont Stakes Online Streaming
NBC will be showing live TV coverage of the 2024 event as always, once again looking to attract over 20 million people and you can bet Belmont Stakes viewers won’t be disappointed.
No longer though must we rely on getting to a television set in order to not miss one of the biggest races of the year. Advances in technology means live streaming is available now, and you can watch and wager on the Belmont Stakes online.
Unforgettable Races Streamed Live
Belmont Stakes winners are among the most exciting and memorable horses in all of horse racing history. These are some of the best Belmont stakes winners of all time: make sure to watch the 2024 edition of the race live on TVG.com to see who will join this illustrious list!
Arcangelo (2023)
Unknown and unheralded until he won the Peter Pan (G3), Arcangelo was sired by Arrogate, whose foals have shown a tendency to go long and love it. His victory was a triumph not only for the bettors who played him but for the entire horse racing world: it made Jena Antonucci, his trainer, the first woman to condition the winner of a Triple Crown race.
Essential Quality (2021)
The champion two-year-old of 2020 stayed just as good in 2021. Though he suffered his first defeat in the Kentucky Derby, he still crossed the wire close behind and he went into the Belmont Stakes the betting favorite. Though Hot Rod Charlie gave him almost all he could handle, Essential Quality’s stamina and class prevailed and he crossed the wire a hard-fought length and a quarter in front.
Tiz the Law (2020)
During the strange year of COVID-19, the Belmont Stakes was shortened to 1 ⅛ miles and won by heavily favoured Tiz the Law. He went on to win the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and run second in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Justify (2018)
So soon after American Pharoah, Justify became only the 13th ever Triple Crown champion, staying on resolutely to see off the opposition in a style many thought he couldn’t win in over a mile-and-a-half. Injured for the Kentucky Derby, Gronkowski took a huge step forward and filled the runner-up position.
American Pharoah (2015)
Having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, American Pharoah came into this as the 3/4 favourite and duly landed the Triple Crown to become only the 12th such champion and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
He won this race in a time of 2:26.65 which made him the second fastest Triple Crown winner to do so (after Secretariat) and the sixth fastest overall. Over 90,000 were in attendance.
Birdstone (2004)
Smarty Jones came into this race as another potential Triple Crown winner and went off at very skinny odds indeed. Birdstone though came home best of all to win an enthralling contest by a length and spoil the party, his owner shouting “sorry, sorry, sorry” in the winner’s circle afterwards!
A record crowd of 120,000 saw this event, Smarty Jones for the record finishing a fine second on his bid for glory after blowing the start.
Point Given (2001)
Although a disappointing fifth in the Kentucky Derby, one of the best three-year-olds of his time, Point Given, won the Preakness Stakes three weeks before this race then scorched home here in a quick time of 2:26.56 to beat A P Valentine by an amazing 12¼ lengths.
Point Given was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010 and his jockey, Gary Stevens, says he was one of the best horses of the entire decade.
Affirmed (1978)
Ridden home by Steve Cauthen in a time of 2:26.80, Affirmed took part in the third slowest start in Belmont history only to run the fastest last mile in the race ever. Affirmed came home ahead of big rival Alydar to become the 3rd Triple Crown winner in six years.
Seattle Slew (1977)
Having already taken the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, Seattle Slew came into this race under huge expectations but duly obliged and in style.
Slew won this by four lengths in front of a massive crowd, becoming the 10th Triple Crown winner in history at the time and increasing his unbeaten record to nine races – the first Triple Crown winner to finish the series undefeated.
Secretariat (1973)
This one needs no introduction really; one of the greatest performances in racing from one of the greatest horses to grace a race track. He won the Belmont Stakes in the fastest time ever by 31 lengths, the best Belmont Stakes win margin ever.
Belmont Stakes Picks from the Experts at TVG
Our team will be on hand to offer their in-depth analysis and expert picks leading up to post time at Belmont Park and remember, you can find out who is in the running to win the 156th Belmont by checking out our dedicated contenders page, as well as our selections on our picks page.
TVG is your trusted one-stop destination for legal online picks, betting tips, and secure Belmont Stakes online betting. Remember; new customers are eligible for a bonus!
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If you don't win your first single-horse win betby TVG Staff
Last Updated: June 7, 2024
The 156th edition of the Belmont Stakes is coming up tomorrow, Saturday, June 8. That is its usual place on the calendar, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness. However, for the first time in Belmont Stakes history, the race will be run at the historic Saratoga Race Course, because Belmont Park is under construction.
The purse for the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown is a rich $2 million, up from $1.5 million. Even though the distance is shorter than usual – due to the Saratoga track configuration, the Belmont Stakes will be run at 1 ¼ miles instead of the traditional 1 ½ miles – it is still an exquisite test of stamina and will require a perfect combination of form and class to win.
The longest of horse racing’s Triple Crown races, the Belmont is called “The Test of the Champion” for good reason. Greats like Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and American Pharoah have cemented their places in horse racing history by winning the Triple Crown at Belmont. And, some of the all-time greats who did not win the Triple Crown still won the Belmont: consider Colin, Man O’ War, Native Dancer, Easy Goer, and A. P. Indy.
Belmont Stakes Odds and Field
The field for the Belmont Stakes was drawn on Monday, June 3. Entries were taken the day before, but draws for the Belmont and the Met Mile (G1) were not finalized until a ceremony Monday evening in Saratoga.
The 2024 Belmont Stakes attracted a field of 10. Both winners of the previous Triple Crown races, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey, return to the starting gate for the final jewel. Sierra Leone, beaten at Churchill Downs by just a nose by Mystik Dan, is favored in the morning-line Belmont Stakes odds.
In addition to several other foes from the previous Classics, they will also see some new faces. Mindframe, despite his lack of stakes experience, is the second choice on the morning line after two impressive victories. Another interesting new face is The Wine Steward, who has yet to win a graded stakes but has repeatedly finished a close second against class horses.
This is the field for the Belmont Stakes including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and official morning-line odds for each runner:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seize the Grey | D. Wayne Lukas | Jaime Torres | 8-1 |
| 2 | Resilience | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 10-1 |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | 5-1 |
| 4 | The Wine Steward | Mike Maker | Manny Franco | 15-1 |
| 5 | Antiquarian | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 12-1 |
| 6 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 15-1 |
| 7 | Protective | Todd Pletcher | Tyler Gaffalione | 20-1 |
| 8 | Honor Marie | Whit Beckman | Florent Geroux | 12-1 |
| 9 | Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 9-5 |
| 10 | Mindframe | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 7-2 |
Belmont Stakes Betting Guide
The race is a special betting challenge because it is so much longer than most races. Unusually for the Belmont Stakes, there will be a little form at the distance: since it covers 1 ¼ miles at Saratoga, any horse who ran in the Kentucky Derby has one race at the distance. But, that’s only one data point. It requires analysis of form cycles, pace, and an extra-keen look at the distance abilities of the horses. Making good decisions based on this information, and translating them into good bets, is the key to making a profit when playing the Belmont Stakes online or in person.
Belmont Stakes Handicapping Strategies
From a pace perspective, unless there are several need-the-lead types in the field (a rarity in a race as classy as the Belmont Stakes), the race tends to favor horses with a frontrunning or stalking style. The idea that closers will, by definition, do better in the Belmont Stakes than in previous races because it is longer is a fallacy: just like any other horse, a closer who does not have the stamina to stay 1 ½ miles, or even 1 ¼ miles, will flatten out and get tired late, too.
When assessing horses’ form going into the Belmont Stakes, look to see how the horses are handling the distances as they get longer. If they need a cut back to one turn, or even a relatively short two-turn distance like a mile or 1 1/16 miles, then the longer Belmont Stakes distance may be too much. But, if they thrived as races on the Derby trail get longer, or they took a nice step forward in a race at a Classic distance, you may have a horse who can stay the Belmont Stakes race distance.
Pedigree can also unlock a Belmont Stakes betting choice. Tapit is a good name to find in the pedigree since he has sired four Belmont Stakes winners. However, there are a lot of horses related to Tapit who get pointed to this race now, meaning it is profitable to look deeper. If a horse has close-up relatives who have produced Belmont Stakes winners or other winners of longer-than-average races on any horse racing surface, you can make an educated bet that they will stay the Belmont trip. This includes the female family: it can be extra profitable to take a few minutes to see who their dams and female families have produced, and see if there is some Belmont Stakes race distance form there.
Belmont Stakes Wagering Strategies
Before betting on Belmont Stakes horses, make sure you are familiar with the full range of Belmont Stakes wagering options! There is a broad range of bets available on the Belmont Stakes, and being able to use your opinions about the horses to find out where they would fit best in your wagers is your ticket to profits.
Belmont Stakes Single-Race Strategies
Here’s an explanation of the main single-race bet types on offer::
WIN BET– If you choose the winning horse, you get paid.
PLACE BET– This time your pick must finish in the first two.
SHOW BET– Your horse must finish in the first three to get a return.
On the pari-mutuel system, your return depends on how much money is in the betting pot overall, divided by how many bets are placed on your horse. With this in mind, the highest payouts are generally on win bets as this is the hardest bet of the three to get right, the second-highest returns are on place bets and the lowest returns are on show bets. Track odds on the TV and tote board are typically win bet odds, though you can also gauge pools for place wagers and show wagers on TVG, or on the tote board if you are at the track.
Should you wish to make things a little more interesting in the Belmont Stakes betting you could try playing exotic bets instead. The simplest single-race exotic is an Exacta. Placing an exacta involves picking two horses and they must finish first and second in the correct nominated order for you to get paid.
Payouts on correct exactas can be pretty big but if you are confident in your two picks but not in the order they’ll come home in, you can box this bet. Boxing the bet means you pay double, but it doesn’t matter in which order your two horses finish so long as they are first and second.
To go for an even bigger pay day you may try a Trifecta bet too. The rules are the same as above for these exotic wagers, only this time you’re picking out three horses to finish 1-2-3 in the exact order. Once more you can pay extra to box the bet so that they may finish in the first three in any order.
The Superfecta is run under the same conditions but involves four horses; get that right and you have the right to either call yourself a pro or at least count your lucky stars!
Exactas, trifectas, and superfectas add an interesting angle to betting on Belmont Stakes horses not only because of the big payouts, but also because they can help you make money off of an opinion around a horse who you think can finish in the money but not win. If there is a horse who finishes second a lot, or who you think can run a good enough race to hit the board but may find one or two too good? Play that horse underneath in an exacta, trifecta, or superfecta. If you’re right, you’re in for a great payday.
Belmont Stakes Multi-Race Strategies
In addition to these single-race bets, there are also multi-race wagers that can help you cash big. Instead of trying to pick horses you think can finish second, third, or fourth in the Belmont Stakes, you instead choose horses you think can win consecutive races on the card.
These bets include the daily double (choosing the winners of two consecutive races), Pick 3 (three races in a row), Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6.
The New York Racing Association also runs a multi-race bet called the Grand Slam That wager covers a four-race sequence. In a Grand Slam, a bettor collects money if their horses in the first, second, and third legs of the pick finish in the top three, and then their pick in the fourth race wins.
Belmont Stakes Online Betting
It’s a great thrill to bet the Belmont Stakes and really feel involved in it all, especially if you can be present to walk up to the teller and collect your cash in person. You don’t have to be at the venue to do this though and in fact you can bet online, on Belmont Stakes day and beyond, right here at TVG.
Choosing Your Bet
You can always read up on the form of each intended runner to check out their relative strengths and weaknesses, take note of workout times, and check on the breeding to see who may be suited by this, the longest distance these horses will probably ever run.
Our Belmont Stakes picks page can also help you choose your horses and your bets. Whether you would like to build your bets around what an expert thinks, or you just want a little more help making sense of the field, our picks can help guide you in a winning direction!
The Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown
The Belmont Stakes traditionally takes place five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, and three weeks after the Preakness.
Over the winter and all through spring, we have dozens of well-bred horses all touted as potential Triple Crown and Classic contenders by their connections, but by the time the Belmont rolls around we usually truly know who the best three-year-olds in the country are.
The Kentucky Derby takes place over 1¼ miles, and the Preakness over 1 3/16 miles. The traditional Belmont distance is 1 ½ miles, and though it will only be run at 1 ¼ miles at Saratoga, that is still a demanding distance given how comparably short most races are. Only the toughest and most versatile horses have a chance of landing the Belmont Stakes title.
The History of the Belmont Stakes
Only the best and the toughest come to Belmont Park each year in June to contest this race, which has led to it being known over the years as the Test of the Champion. Given its place in the racing calendar, the Belmont Stakes is synonymous with the world-famous Triple Crown series and is now in its 156th year.
The Early Years
The Belmont Stakes has been a popular fixture on the racing schedule since way back in 1868, staged originally at Jerome Park and Morris Park until it found its current and permanent home at Belmont in 1905.
When anti-gambling legislation was passed, Belmont Park was closed between 1911 and 1912 with the result being that this race was cancelled though happily it quickly returned and history was made in 1920 when the famous Man O’War won the race by 20 lengths, setting a new record in doing so.
In fact, the term ‘Triple Crown’ was first coined colloquially when Gallant Fox won three big races in 1930 though it wasn’t used more widely until 1935 when Omaha repeated that success. The idea of an official Triple Crown title then evolved and so Sir Barton was retroactively given the same label.
In 1931 the order of the races became the Kentucky Derby first, the Preakness Stakes second and then finally the Belmont Stakes in June. Things have remained the same to this day, except for in 2020 when races were rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Belmont Stakes In Recent Times
Given the grueling schedule, it’s perhaps not a surprise that the Belmont Stakes has been the race where many Triple Crown candidates have seen their dreams come to an end. Between 2002 and 2004, three Belmont Stakes in a row saw horses arrive looking to land the Triple Crown having won the first two races in the shape of War Emblem, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones, only to have all three end up beaten in New York.
Crowds have grown in recent times with around 100,000 people regularly attending this event and they have been treated to some great scenes; American Pharoah and Justify becoming the 12th and 13th Triple Crown winners in 2015 and 2018.
Belmont Stakes Race Conditions
Just as is the case with the other two Triple Crown legs, three-year-olds only can enter this race with colts and geldings set to carry 126lbs and the fillies 121lbs.
Entry Limits
The Belmont Stakes has a safety limit of 16 starters in the gate, so as you can imagine places in the final line-up for the big race are very valuable indeed.
Unlike the Kentucky Derby, there is no points system to get into the Belmont Stakes. Primarily, horses qualify for this race based on their career earnings to date. Horses who ran well in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes frequently run in the Belmont Stakes. It is also helpful to run well in other rich stakes races like the Blue Grass, Wood, and Peter Pan.
Ponying Up
The Run for the Carnations is no cheap race to enter, nor should it be with it being one of the most prestigious races on the American racing calendar.
To pass the entry box, owners will need to pay up $15,000 plus another $15,000 for the final starting places. If an owner wants to be nominated for the Belmont Stakes but has not already nominated their horse for the Triple Crown, it will cost an extra $50,000 to supplement them. However, if their form and stamina are good enough, the purse is high enough to make that investment pay off!
The Purse
In 2024, the Belmont Stakes offers a $2 million purse, up from the $1.5 million of last year. Though this is less than the $5 million on offer in the Kentucky Derby, it is on par with the base purse of the Preakness Stakes and it is still one of the richest and most prestigious events in the horse racing world.
Saratoga Race Course
Though Belmont Park is the traditional home of the Belmont Stakes, the track is under construction. Thus, the Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga for the first time ever in 2024. It will return to the Spa in 2025, before an expected return to Belmont Park in 2026.
Saratoga may not be the usual venue for the Belmont Stakes, but the track is steeped in history and tradition. In fact, Sports Illustrated rated it as the number 10 sports venue of the 20th Century in 1999. Saratoga has two popular nicknames—The Spa, named for the nearby mineral springs, and the Graveyard of Favorites, named for the historic upsets recorded there in years past. Perhaps most notable is Man o' War’s only defeat in 21 starts, behind the aptly-named Upset, and Secretariat’s loss to Onion after winning the Triple Crown.
There are three separate horse racing tracks at Saratoga: a main dirt track; an outer turf track known as the Mellon Turf Course, and an inner turf track. The main dirt track has a 1 1/8 mile circumference, the Mellon Turf Course is a 1-mile turf track and the inner turf track is seven furlongs. Additionally, there is the Oklahoma Track, used for warming up and training
Belmont Park
Situated right on the outskirts of New York City in Elmont, Belmont Park has been open for business and hosting this race since 1905.
The main dirt track here has got not only bigger dimensions than most around the country giving it the nickname “Big Sandy”, but it also tends to be quite deep meaning the 1½ mile distance in this race really tests these young thoroughbreds out.
Huge crowds can be accommodated just as they are at both Churchill Downs and Pimlico, in fact over 120,000 were in attendance for Smarty Jones’s Triple Crown attempt back in 2004 only for Birdstone to play the villain and upset the favourite after he blew the start.
Belmont truly is one of the USA’s premier tracks and hosts not only this event but races such as the Suburban Handicap, the Mother Goose Stakes and the Man O’War Stakes among others.
Belmont Stakes Online Streaming
NBC will be showing live TV coverage of the 2024 event as always, once again looking to attract over 20 million people and you can bet Belmont Stakes viewers won’t be disappointed.
No longer though must we rely on getting to a television set in order to not miss one of the biggest races of the year. Advances in technology means live streaming is available now, and you can watch and wager on the Belmont Stakes online.
Unforgettable Races Streamed Live
Belmont Stakes winners are among the most exciting and memorable horses in all of horse racing history. These are some of the best Belmont stakes winners of all time: make sure to watch the 2024 edition of the race live on TVG.com to see who will join this illustrious list!
Arcangelo (2023)
Unknown and unheralded until he won the Peter Pan (G3), Arcangelo was sired by Arrogate, whose foals have shown a tendency to go long and love it. His victory was a triumph not only for the bettors who played him but for the entire horse racing world: it made Jena Antonucci, his trainer, the first woman to condition the winner of a Triple Crown race.
Essential Quality (2021)
The champion two-year-old of 2020 stayed just as good in 2021. Though he suffered his first defeat in the Kentucky Derby, he still crossed the wire close behind and he went into the Belmont Stakes the betting favorite. Though Hot Rod Charlie gave him almost all he could handle, Essential Quality’s stamina and class prevailed and he crossed the wire a hard-fought length and a quarter in front.
Tiz the Law (2020)
During the strange year of COVID-19, the Belmont Stakes was shortened to 1 ⅛ miles and won by heavily favoured Tiz the Law. He went on to win the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and run second in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Justify (2018)
So soon after American Pharoah, Justify became only the 13th ever Triple Crown champion, staying on resolutely to see off the opposition in a style many thought he couldn’t win in over a mile-and-a-half. Injured for the Kentucky Derby, Gronkowski took a huge step forward and filled the runner-up position.
American Pharoah (2015)
Having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, American Pharoah came into this as the 3/4 favourite and duly landed the Triple Crown to become only the 12th such champion and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
He won this race in a time of 2:26.65 which made him the second fastest Triple Crown winner to do so (after Secretariat) and the sixth fastest overall. Over 90,000 were in attendance.
Birdstone (2004)
Smarty Jones came into this race as another potential Triple Crown winner and went off at very skinny odds indeed. Birdstone though came home best of all to win an enthralling contest by a length and spoil the party, his owner shouting “sorry, sorry, sorry” in the winner’s circle afterwards!
A record crowd of 120,000 saw this event, Smarty Jones for the record finishing a fine second on his bid for glory after blowing the start.
Point Given (2001)
Although a disappointing fifth in the Kentucky Derby, one of the best three-year-olds of his time, Point Given, won the Preakness Stakes three weeks before this race then scorched home here in a quick time of 2:26.56 to beat A P Valentine by an amazing 12¼ lengths.
Point Given was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010 and his jockey, Gary Stevens, says he was one of the best horses of the entire decade.
Affirmed (1978)
Ridden home by Steve Cauthen in a time of 2:26.80, Affirmed took part in the third slowest start in Belmont history only to run the fastest last mile in the race ever. Affirmed came home ahead of big rival Alydar to become the 3rd Triple Crown winner in six years.
Seattle Slew (1977)
Having already taken the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, Seattle Slew came into this race under huge expectations but duly obliged and in style.
Slew won this by four lengths in front of a massive crowd, becoming the 10th Triple Crown winner in history at the time and increasing his unbeaten record to nine races – the first Triple Crown winner to finish the series undefeated.
Secretariat (1973)
This one needs no introduction really; one of the greatest performances in racing from one of the greatest horses to grace a race track. He won the Belmont Stakes in the fastest time ever by 31 lengths, the best Belmont Stakes win margin ever.
Belmont Stakes Picks from the Experts at TVG
Our team will be on hand to offer their in-depth analysis and expert picks leading up to post time at Belmont Park and remember, you can find out who is in the running to win the 156th Belmont by checking out our dedicated contenders page, as well as our selections on our picks page.
TVG is your trusted one-stop destination for legal online picks, betting tips, and secure Belmont Stakes online betting. Remember; new customers are eligible for a bonus!