Early 2018 Belmont Stakes Betting Preview.

Early 2018 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds & Preview

Written by on June 1, 2018

There are a lot of feats that are difficult to achieve in the world of sports, with the Triple Crown in horse racing right near the top of the list. Horses only get one shot at achieving this goal, as they are only eligible when they are 3 years old. As if that were not tough enough, they need to run 3 races in a ridiculously short time. It’s no real surprise then that only 12 horses have managed the feat in close to 150 years. Making things even more difficult is the fact that the final leg of the Triple Crown is a long mile and a half run, more than the average horse is used to, which is why the Belmont Stakes Betting Odds are a little more difficult to read. When the starting gate opens at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 9, Justify will try to become the 13th horse to win horse racing’s biggest prize. He has opened at even money, and while he is the obvious favorite, the horse racing odds, and history are still stacked against him. This is a race that has claimed many a big name horse, with the longshot underdogs often upsetting the apple cart coming down the stretch.

Early 2018 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds & Preview

  • Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York, U.S.
  • When: June 9, 2018
  • Distance: 1 1⁄2 mi (12 furlongs; 2,414 m)
  • Surface: Dirt
  • Purse: $1.5 million

2018 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds

  • Justify -115
  • Bravazo +430
  • Tenfold +580
  • Hofburg +600
  • Vino Rosso +1100
  • Blended Citizen +1200
  • Free Drop Billy +3000
  • Restoring Hope +3000
  • Noble Indy +3000
  • Gronkowski +3300
  • Bandua +5000
  • Just Whistle +6000

The Expected Field at the Belmont Stakes

Part of the issue that horses looking to capture the Triple Crown face is running 3 races in a short period of time. Their cause is not helped by the fact that many of the horses they will be up against may be rested, as there is no rule that says entries need to have raced in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness to be eligible for this one. Some see this as unfair, but it’s part of what makes winning the Triple Crown such an amazing feat. At the moment, we are looking at a 9-horse field, with Justify in as the early favorite. With over a week until the race goes off, the number of entries may change, as we have until June 5 before the draw is made for post positions. Given the current size of the field and the running distance of the Belmont Stakes, the PP draw is not as important as it is in larger fields. The horses in this race will have plenty of time to get into their favored racing position so that they can strike coming home.

Who, if Not Justify?

There is going to be an awful lot of money wagered on Justify given his performances at the Derby and the Preakness, but we have seen a lot of horses fall at the final hurdle. The mile and a half distance is a challenge for any thoroughbred, especially one who has already raced twice in a very short period of time. Justify comes in as the 2018 Belmont Stakes Betting favorite. If Justify is not going to win this race, then who can beat him? There are a couple of good options here, with Hofburg very high on the list. This horse had a far from a perfect trip in the Kentucky Derby but was mowing them down in the home stretch to finally finish in 7th. The one that really jumps off the page here, though, is Bravazo. He came very close to delivering the upset in the Preakness Stakes, coming with a late run to fall just behind Justify in second place. Had that race been a little longer, he may well have caught him, and since this one is a mile and a half, he may just get the extra distance he needs to get his nose in front at the line and upset Justify at the 2018 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds.

Last 10 Winners

  • 2017: Tapwrit
  • 2016: Creator
  • 2015: American Pharoah
  • 2014: Tonalist
  • 2013: Palace Malice
  • 2012: Union Rags
  • 2011: Ruler on Ice
  • 2010: Drosselmeyer
  • 2009: Summer Bird
  • 2008: Da’Tara
  • 2007: Rags to Riches
  • 2006: Jazil
  • 2005: Afleet Alex
  • 2004: Birdstone
  • 2003: Empire Maker