The dust has settled from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and all eyes are on the grueling Belmont Stakes. With betting Belmont Stakes odds released, a familiar name sits atop the board: Chad Brown’s impressive colt, Sierra Leone. But is he a lock, or is there more to the story?
Odds for the 2024 Belmont Stakes have landed and as expected Chad Brown trained Sierra Leone is the future book favorite. The Kentucky Derby second place finisher is +175 to beat rivals Fierceness, Derby winner Mystik Dan, and Preakness winner Seize the Grey in the Belmont.
Is Sierra Leone a safe pick to win it all or key exotic plays at Saratoga on June 8? Check out Belmont Stakes odds for Sierra Leone along with analysis.
Is Sierra Leone a Safe Belmont Stakes Pick? | MyBookie Horse Racing Betting Preview for the 3rd Leg of the Triple Crown
2024 Belmont Stakes | 156th Running of the Test of Champions
Grade I stakes race | 1 ¼ miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 m) – Fastest: 2:24, Secretariat 1973
Saturday, June 8th, 2024 | NBC / Peacock
Saratoga Racecourse | Saratoga Springs, New York
Future Book – Belmont Stakes Favorite
Sierra Leone +175
Why Sierra Leone is a safe Belmont Stakes pick
In five lifetime races, Sierra Leone has never finished worse than second. The Gun Runner sired colt won the Grade 2 Risen Star and then the Grade 1 Bluegrass before losing the Kentucky Derby by a nose.
Horseplayers realize that when it comes to Sierra Leone, Mystik Dan, and the Kentucky Derby, the Brown trainee had the much tougher trip. Sierra had to weave his way through a crowded Derby field. So losing by a nose to Mystik Dan was quite an accomplishment.
Not only that, but the Belmont field will be much smaller than the Derby field, which means new jockey Flavien Prat won’t have to do as much. Also, the distance is 1 ¼ miles because the race happens at Saratoga and Sierra Leone has proven capable at 1 ¼ miles.
Why Sierra Leone isn’t a safe Belmont Stakes pick
Although Sierra Leone has never finished off the board in five lifetime races, the second place Derby finisher has lost 2-of-5. The Derby set up perfectly for Sierra Leone to get the nose down first.
But the horse didn’t get it done. A loss is a loss just like a win is a win. Also, the field, although small, is coming up tough. Both Seize the Grey and Mystik Dan will run. So will Peter Pan winner Antiquarian.
Todd Pletcher may also run Fierceness and Mindframe. Batten Down, a Bill Mott trained runner, will enter the gate and so will quality closer Honor Marie. Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna is also a possibility.
Final Analysis: Seirra Leone a safe or unsafe Belmont Stakes pick?
Sierra Leone is an unsafe Belmont Stakes pick to win the race outright. The three year old has the quality to get it done, but the Belmont field, although smaller than the Derby field, is loaded with surging horses.
Mindframe, Batten Down, Thorpedo Anna, and Antiquarian will all enter the Belmont after wins. So betting on Sierra Leone to win at low odds may not be wise.
However, using Sierra Leone as the key horse in exotic plays is a good move. The Brown runner has never finished worse than second. So using Sierra Leone as the key horse in exactas, trifectas, and superfectas could yield positive results.
To Win: No
To Finish in the Top Three: Yes
Betting Sierra Leone to Win
2024 Wins: 67% / $1,821,250 earnings
Dark Bay or Brown Colt | March 30th, 2021 in Kentucky by Gun Runner out of Heavenly Love
2024 Test of Champions
Betting Lines to Win Belmont Stakes
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Race
2024 Belmont Stakes Field: Post Positions, Betting Odds, Jockeys, Trainers
| Post | Horse | Belmont Stakess | Morning Lines | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tapit Shoes | 16-1 | 20-1 | Brad Cox | Jose Ortiz |
| 2 | Tapit Trice | 6 -1 | 3-1 | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez |
| 3 | Arcangelo | 7-1 | 8-1 | Jena Antonucci | Javier Castellano |
| 4 | National Treasure | 9-2 | 5-1 | Bob Baffert | John Velazquez |
| 5 | Il Miracolo | 19-1 | 30-1 | Antonio Sano | Marcos Menesses |
| 6 | Forte | 5-2 | 5-2 | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr |
| 7 | Hit Show | 8-1 | 10-1 | Brad Cox | Manny Franco |
| 8 | Angel of Empire | 7-2 | 7-2 | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat |
| 9 | Red Route One | 13-1 | 15-1 | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario |
Updated Odds to Win 2024 Belmont Stakes
Gear up for the thrill of the track! Discover the latest updates on the odds to win the 2024 Belmont Stakes.
| Horses | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sierra Leone | +135 |
| Mindframe | +330 |
| Mystik Dan | +800 |
| Seize the Grey | +800 |
| Resilience | +1000 |
| Antiquarian | +1400 |
| Honor Marie | +1100 |
| The Wine Steward | +2500 |
| Dornoch | +2000 |
| Protective | +3300 |
| Bet Belmont Stakes Lines | |
Racing Lines for Belmont Stakes
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Sign up for an account today and explore our comprehensive 2024 Belmont Stakes lines. Who will conquer the grueling 1.5-mile race? The answer awaits – and so could a winning payout!
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Is the Derby Winner a Lock? Unveiling the 2024 Belmont Stakes Lines
Previous Betting News
The grueling “Test of the Champion” is upon us! With the Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan leading the pack, can they dominate the 2024 Belmont Stakes lines? We delve into the contenders and analyze if any hold a “safe” bet for Belmont Stakes glory.
Three horses will vie for favoritism at this year’s Belmont Stakes. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, second place Derby finisher Sierra Leone, and Seize the Grey should all attract actions that makes them close to favoritism.
Check out information on each and whether any of them are safe bets to win the Test of Champions.
Belmont Stakes: Is the Favorite a Safe Belmont Stakes Betting Pick? | MyBookie Horse Racing Betting Preview for the 3rd Leg of the Triple Crown
2024 Belmont Stakes | 156th Running of the Test of Champions
Grade I stakes race | 1 ¼ miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 m) – Fastest: 2:24, Secretariat 1973
Saturday, June 8th, 2024 | NBC / Peacock
Saratoga Racecourse | Saratoga Springs, New York
Three Possible Favorites for the Belmont Stakes: Mystik Dan, Seize the Grey, or Sierra Leone
Will Mystik Dan Be a Safe Pick to Win the Belmont?
Three year old equines will go 1 ¼ miles at this year’s Belmont Stakes. If not of the classic distance, instead of the normal 1 ½ miles, Mystik Dan wouldn’t be a Belmont consideration.
Dan will have run 3 races in the span of 5 weeks should he take part in every Triple Crown race. Kenny McPeek, Mystik Dan’s trainer, is on the fence about entering the horse. Dan probably will go, though, which will make him an obvious choice to get it done at Saratoga.
But Mystik Dan isn’t a safe bet. The setup at Belmont won’t be the same at Churchill Downs where Mystik Dan got the perfect inside trip while Sierra Leone and Forever Young had to go wide. Bet if you believe, but by no means is Mystik Dan a safe play.
Betting Mystik Dan to Win
2024 Wins: 40% / $4,050,050 earnings
Bay Colt | March 3rd, 2021 in Kentucky by Goldencents out of Ma’am
Will Sierra Leone Be a Safe pick to Win the Belmont?
The safest play among the potential favorites is Sierra Leone. The second place Derby finisher has rested the past month while Seize the Grey and Mystik Dan have had a couple of races.
During the rest, no doubt, Sierra Leone has put on weight and has matured to the point where he is likely to run a lifetime best on June 8. Trainer Chad Brown is a master at getting horses ready off a short layoff. So we should give Sierra Leone a lot of respect. If you want to back the safest potential favorite, back Sierra Leone to get it done at Saratoga.
Betting Sierra Leone to Win
2024 Wins: 67% / $1,821,250 earnings
Dark Bay or Brown Colt | March 30th, 2021 in Kentucky by Gun Runner out of Heavenly Love
Will Seize the Grey Be a Safe Pick to Win the Belmont?
The D. Wayne Lukas trained and Preakness winning colt ran fast on Derby Day to win the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile. So winning the Preakness puts Seize the Grey on the same schedule as Mystik Dan.
Wiring the Belmont won’t be as easy for Seize the Grey as it was wiring the Preakness. Muth scratched before the race, which meant Seize the Grey could grab the lead and hang on. Other speed will show up at Saratoga on June 8.
One of those other horses could possibly be Fierceness, which must run to the front in order to win. So Seize the Grey isn’t a safe play to win at Belmont. He’s plenty talented, though. So if you believe, go for it.
Betting Seize the Grey to Win
2024 Wins: 60% / $1,718,800 earnings
Gray or Roan Colt | April 19th, 2021 in Kentucky by Arrogate out of Smart Shopping
2024 Test of Champions
Betting Lines to Win Belmont Stakes
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Race
2024 Belmont Stakes Field: Post Positions, Betting Odds, Jockeys, Trainers
Racing Lines for Belmont Stakes
Ready to make your Belmont Stakes prediction and potentially claim a big win? Don’t miss out on the action!
Sign up for an account today and explore our comprehensive 2024 Belmont Stakes lines. Who will conquer the grueling 1.5-mile race? The answer awaits – and so could a winning payout!
I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?
Betting Upcoming Horse Races
MyBookie Betting Lines in the Racebook
Belmont Stakes Betting Center
Belmont Stakes Odds and Lines
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