Belmont Stakes Betting Advice
The Belmont Stakes was inaugurated in 1868 at the now-defunct Jerome Park before moving to Belmont Park in 1895, where it has been run for more than a century. While renovations have occasionally moved the race to other venues, it remains most closely associated with Belmont Park.
It is famous not only the Test of the Champion with its long-distance and extra-long stretch drive but also as the final leg of the Triple Crown. The traditional 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont is a distance very few American horses run unless they are making their careers on grass, and seldom as a three-year-old. That is why winning the Belmont is so difficult, especially after running in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in the last five weeks.
Over the decades, only a select few horses have achieved the coveted Triple Crown by winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in the same year. Legends such as Sir Barton, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and American Pharoah are among those who have accomplished the feat-. Trainer Bob Baffert has guided multiple champions to Triple Crown glory.
The 1920 Belmont Stakes was won by the mighty Man o’ War, considered by some to still be the greatest racehorse of all time. He took the race by 20 lengths and set a new track record.
Belmont Stakes Races
The Belmont Stakes card traditionally features a full day of elite racing, with several other major graded stakes alongside the main event. These often include the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Manhattan (G1), Ogden Phipps (G1), Jaipur (G1), Woody Stephens (G1), True North (G2), Suburban (G2), and Poker (G3).
The Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the Triple Crown and the resting place of attempts to capture all three of these prestigious events. As a result, the Belmont has earned the nickname “The Test of the Champion”, as the entire field gets a final chance to deny the crown to winners of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Time and time again, horses have won the first two legs of the triple crown before faltering at the Belmont.
Part of the challenge of the Belmont Stakes is its demanding distance. Traditionally run at 1 ½ miles (twelve furlongs) on dirt, the race tests the stamina of even the most accomplished three-year-olds, forcing them to rely on more than raw speed. On occasions when the race has been contested at 1 ¼ miles, it has still proven a formidable test of endurance and strategy.
Similar to the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes is a historic race with roots in the 19th century. First run in 1867, it has been held nearly every year since, with only brief interruptions due to gambling bans in New York. Over the decades, legendary horses such as Ruthless, Man o’ War, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and American Pharoah have crossed the finish line in victory.
Belmont Stakes Betting Sites
Placing a smart wager on your favorite to win makes the Belmont Stakes that much more exciting, especially when a Triple Crown favorite attempts to sweep the final leg. Plenty of racebooks provide smooth gambling services that make it easy to enjoy playing the race. Playing online is more convenient than playing at the racetrack, too, since you can do it from anywhere with an internet connection.
Check to see what sort of deposit bonuses, betting bonuses, wagering rebates, and other lucrative promos that these companies offer. Signing up with the racebook that works best for you can increase the odds of taking home a nice payday.
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Belmont Stakes Winners
Given how demanding the Belmont Stakes is, even horses that win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness often fall short of completing the Triple Crown. California Chrome, for example, entered the Belmont as a heavy favorite in 2014 but finished off the board as Tonalist took the victory.
A handful of exceptional horses have managed to sweep all three races, including American Pharoah in 2015—the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978—and Justify in 2018.
Foreign-bred winners are rare, with Canadian star Victory Gallop picking up a memorable victory in 1998. Fillies have also triumphed only on rare occasions: Rags to Riches became the first in over a century when she defeated Curlin in 2007, following in the footsteps of Ruthless (1867) and Tanya (1905).
Belmont Stakes Odds
Belmont Stakes betting odds begin to take clearer shape once the field is finalized and post positions are drawn. Morning-line odds can offer insight into which horses are expected to attract wagering attention, though they are not guaranteed at the track. Final odds are set at post time, which means they can fluctuate right up to the start of the race. Many bettors prefer using online sportsbooks, where fixed-odds wagering is available, allowing them to lock in a price on a contender without the risk of a late odds drop.
2025 Belmont Stakes Betting Picks
The field for the Belmont Stakes is typically drawn a few days before the race in June. Leading contenders often come out of the Kentucky Derby or Preakness, while others emerge from major prep races, making the final lineup a mix of proven stars and rising talent. Keeping an eye on these developments can help bettors spot potential value before odds shift.
