Best Belmont Stakes Bets
The 2020 Belmont Stakes winner is Tiz the Law! Welcome to your Belmont Stakes Online Betting guide. This year, due to unprecedented circumstances, the Belmont Stakes became the first leg of the American Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes.The 2020 Belmont Stakes will took place on June 20, 2020. For the purposes of the Belmont Stakes, a great option for a betting site — especially if you don’t have an account yet — is 1/ST BET. Only four horses ran against Secretariat for the June 9 Belmont Stakes, including Sham and three other horses thought to have little chance by the bettors: Twice A Prince, My Gallant, and Private Smiles. With so few horses in the race, and Secretariat expected to win, no 'show' bets were taken. The Horsemen's Information area was developed in cooperation with InCompass® and race track managements across the country as a central location for racing office information commonly sought by horsemen, including condition books and overnights.
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The Belmont Stakes is the longest and oldest of the Triple Crown horse races, run over 1 1/2 miles of track often referred to as “Big Sandy” due to its soil composition.
Three-year-old thoroughbreds will run the Belmont Stakes, a Grade I event held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, over 1 1/8 miles in the opening leg of the Triple Crown with a purse totaling $1.5 million. This marks the first time in history the Belmont Stakes will be the first race for the coveted crown.
The Belmont Stakes, which has a tradition dating back to 1867, will be making history this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race that is typically the last jewel in the Triple Crown will be held June 20 — before the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
Betting on the Belmont Stakes is one of the biggest highlights on the annual racing calendar. We’re going to cover everything you need to know to get involved this time around.
From the best places for you to legally and safely place your horse racing wagers, what the odds board tells us, how horses qualify and the history of the race itself, it’s all here.
Best Belmont Stakes betting sites
Odds on the 2020 Belmont Stakes
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tap It to Win | John Velazquez | 6-1 |
| 2 | Sole Volante | Luca Panici | 9-2 |
| 3 | Max Player | Joel Rosario | 15-1 |
| 4 | Modernist | Junior Alvarado | 15-1 |
| 5 | Farmington Road | Javier Castellano | 15-1 |
| 6 | Fore Left | Jose Ortiz | 30-1 |
| 7 | Jungle Runner | Reylu Gutierrez | 50-1 |
| 8 | Tiz the Law | Manny Franco | 6-5 |
| 9 | Dr. Post | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 5-1 |
| 10 | Pneumatic | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 8-1 |
| Get Up to a $250 First Deposit Bonus at TVG! |
When are the odds released?
Although the Belmont Stakes typically has a smaller field than the Preakness or Kentucky Derby due to the grueling nature of the Triple Crown and because of the 1-1/2 distance, it generates one of the largest handles of any race in the US. Post time for the race typically is between 6:20 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. ET.
Odds become available for the Belmont when post positions are drawn, which is not always the same day every year. Immediately after the horses are assigned their post positions, what is referred to as a morning line is introduced.
Here’s an example of odds from last year’s Belmont Stakes, which was captured by Sir Winston:
| Finish | PP | Horse | Record | Morning line odds | Final odds | Margin (lengths) | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Sir Winston | 9–2–1–1 | 12–1 | 10.20 | — | $800,000 |
| 2 | 10 | Tacitus | 5–3–0–1 | 9–5 | 1.95 | 1 | $280,000 |
| 3 | 1 | Joevia | 5–2–2–0 | 30–1 | 21.60 | 4 3⁄4 | $150,000 |
| 4 | 4 | Tax | 6–2–2–1 | 15–1 | 11.70 | 5 3⁄4 | $100,000 |
| 5 | 3 | Master Fencer | 7–2–2–0 | 8–1 | 13.30 | 5 3⁄4 | $60,000 |
| 6 | 6 | Spinoff | 5–2–1–1 | 15–1 | 10.40 | 6 | $45,000 |
| 7 | 2 | Everfast | 11–1–2–1 | 12–1 | 16.50 | 6 | $35,000 |
| 8 | 8 | Intrepid Heart | 3–2–0–1 | 10–1 | 6.90 | 7 3⁄4 | $30,000 |
| 9 | 9 | War of Will | 10–4–1–1 | 2–1 | 3.65 | 10 | |
| 10 | 5 | Bourbon War | 6–2–1–0 | 12–1 | 10 | 14 3⁄4 |
Payouts from the 2019 Belmont Stakes
| Program number | Horse name | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Sir Winston | $22.40 | $8.80 | $6.10 |
| 10 | Tacitus | – | $3.90 | $3.20 |
| 1 | Joevia | – | – | $8.70 |
- $1 Exacta: (7-10) $48
- $1 Trifecta: (7-10-1) $1,244
- $1 Superfecta: (7-10-1-4) $10,428
Who is Favored to win the 2020 Belmont Stakes?
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Belmont Stakes is in a unique position. In most years the horses that finished in the top three of the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are the favorites. Since that isn’t possible this year, the odds are being calculated based on other factors.
One of the initial favorites, Charlatan, an undefeated colt trained by Bob Baffert and the winner of one of the two divisions of the Grade I Arkansas Derby, recently tested positive for a banned substance. His status as far as eligibility for the Belmont Stakes is unknown.
Following are the most recently updated odds for this year’s Belmont Stakes:
- Tiz the Law: 5-2
- Charlatan: 5-2
- Nadal: 5-2
- Dr Post: 7-2
- Sole Volante: 15-1
- Basin: 17-1
- Farmington Road: 20-1
- Gouverner Morris: 20-1
- Max Player: 24-1
- Modernist: 30-1
These horses are considered to be the top 10 horses. However, the Belmont Stakes can load up to 13 horses in the gate and, due to the coronavirus situation, is expected to have a full field this year.
How to bet on the 2020 Belmont Stakes
Betting on the Belmont Stakes goes much further than picking the winner. There are a number of different bet types you can place, all of which we’ll walk through in a bit. For now, let’s take a look at the three options you have once you’re ready to place your wagers.
- Belmont Stakes mobile apps: A mobile racing app lets you bet on the Belmont Stakes anytime you want in a legal betting state. The best of the bunch is TVG, a simple-to-use platform that is a breeze to sign up for. TVG is much more than a betting app to boot. It’s a real live network that serves as the TV home for year-round horse racing action.
- Belmont Stakes live betting: If you’re looking for a stellar Belmont Stakes experience, then why not check out the big race in person? Located in Elmont, New York, Belmont Park attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. For Belmont Stakes day, attendance is through the roof, but you’ll have plenty of places to get your bets in with on-site tellers.
- Belmont Stakes off-track betting: If you can’t make it to the race but still want the thrill of an awesome atmosphere, then take a look at visiting an off-track betting facility near you. These venues attract racing aficionados normally, but big events such as the Belmont really pack them in. It’s a fun time and a great way to get your bets in before the action unfolds.
Types of bets
You can place your bets on the winner of the Belmont Stakes and call it a day, but you’d be missing out on a number of other appealing opportunities. As mentioned, there are several other ways to bet on the big race. Here’s a look at the main bet types you have to consider.
- Win: This is a wager on which horse you think will win the race. Each horse in the field will have odds attached, which can and will move based on betting action. You can place a bet for a small amount such as $2, or go for the gusto with much larger amounts. If your selected horse comes in first, then you have a winning ticket.
- Place: If you place a bet on a horse to place, that means you like your choice to at least finish second in the race. Place bets are paid out for the first two finishers in the race. For example, if you bet on a horse to win and place and it comes in second, the place bet is a winner, but the win bet is not.
- Show: Show bets cover a horse to finish in the top three at the conclusion of the race. Horses that finish in the top three spots will be paid out a portion of the show pool at a rate commensurate with their odds. If you bet on a horse to show and it goes on to be one of the top three finishers, you’re a winner.
- Win/place/show: By choosing this bet for your selections, you’re covering all three of the above outcomes. It’s a time-saver that can also improve returns over simply betting on one of the three finishes. This bet can also be adjusted to two outcomes, such as win/place or place/show.
- Exacta: This is a bet in which you’re choosing the top two finishers. You can place this bet straight, which means the horses have to finish in the exact order selected, or box your choices to cover a range of outcomes.
- Trifecta: For this one, you need to pick the top three finishers in the race. Just like the exacta, you can place a straight or a box bet. Trifectas offer up the potential for great returns, but they can be challenging to hit.
- Superfecta: To kick things up even further, you can bet on the superfecta in box or straight form. To win this bet, you’ll need to pick the top four finishers. These bets can also lead to great scores, but there’s lots of risk involved.
- SuperHighFive: Last but not least, the SuperHighFive requires you to predict the top five finishers in the race. Hitting a winning wager here could be very lucrative, especially when several longshots are in the mix, but the SH5 is tough to predict.
Win, place and show bets are considered your standard horse racing bets, while the remaining wagers on our list are considered exotics. As mentioned, the exotics open the door to even greater potential returns off of a single race, but they can be hard to hit.
In addition, remember that there’s much more to Belmont Stakes day than just the big race itself. There will be a full card of races for you to bet on as well. Beyond the standard and exotic bets, there are other wagers to keep an eye on throughout the day.
You can bet on the winners of multiple races via Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6 bets. For these wagers, you need to pick the winner of consecutive races on the card. Naturally, that’s tough to do, but these wagers can be entered for nominal amounts such as $0.50 or $2.
To enhance your chances, you can select multiple runners in each race. Keep in mind, though, that the cost of your wager will rise with each selection added to the ticket.
Historic Wins in the Belmont Stakes
This is the 152nd edition of the Belmont Stakes, which gives the race a long and rich tradition. Like any long-standing event, certain years are more historic than most.
What is surprising, however, is unlike the Kentucky Derby there have been very few, if any, controversial wins in the Belmont.
Here is a list of some of the more historic Belmont Stakes:
- Sir Barton wins the 1919 Belmont Stakes and becomes the first Triple Crown winner.
- Secretariat stages a tour de force in 1971 en route to becoming the ninth Triple Crown victor. Many racing fans believe it is one of the greatest exhibitions of all time and has earned him the reputation as the greatest horse ever to race. He won the race by a mind-boggling 31 lengths.
- Affirmed edges Alydar in one of the most epic horse racing rivalries of all-time in the 1978 Belmont Stakes. Affirmed wins by a head to become the 11th Triple Crown winner.
- Trainer Woody Stephens achieves an unrivaled feat by winning five straight editions of the Belmont Stakes with Conquistador Cielo, Caveat, Swale, CrèmeFraiche and DanzigConnection.
- In 1993, jockey JulieKrone becomes the first and only woman to win the Belmont Stakes or any Triple Crown race when she piloted longshot ColonialAffair to the victory.
- In 1998 in one of the closest photo finishes in Belmont Stakes history, VictoryGallop gets up in the final strides to deny RealQuiet the Triple Crown.
- Sarava captures the 2002 Belmont Stakes at odds of 70-1 and is the biggest longshot to ever win the race.
- In 2007, Rags to Riches bests eventual Horse of the Year, Curlin, by a head to become only the third filly to ever win the Belmont Stakes
- AmericanPharoah wins the 2015 Belmont Stakes by five and a half lengths to become the sport’s 12th Triple Crown winner and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
- In 2018, Justify becomes the 13th Triple Crown winner when he wins the Belmont Stakes and the first since SeattleSlew in 1977 to do so with an undefeated record.
The Five Fastest Belmont Stakes
Due to the grueling 1 1/2-mile distance of the Belmont Stakes, times for this race typically are not swift. It is a test of endurance.
Bearing that in mind, here are the five fastest Belmont Stakes winners of all-time:
- Secretariat (1973): 2:24
- Easy Goer (1989): 2:26
- AP Indy (1992): 2:26.13
- Risen Star (1998): 2:26.4
- Point Given (2001): 2:26.56
Belmont Stakes Winning Times List
Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown
Each leg of the Triple Crown has its history and place within the sport and each has its traditions.
The Belmont Stakes stands out not only because it’s the longestdistance of three races, but it is also typically the last within a six-week period for those in pursuit of the coveted crown.
Belmont is referred to as the Test of the Champion because of its timing and distance and due to only 13 horses in the history of the sport having won the Triple Crown.
For perspective, 52 horses have won two Triple Crown contests with 23 winning the combined Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes; 18 winning the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes; and 11 horses winning the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
History of the Belmont Stakes Festival
Considered to be a New York City institution and an integral component of the city’s sports history, the Belmont Stakes holds great significance not only locally, but nationally and internationally.
To celebrate the importance of the Belmont Stakes, the annual Belmont Stakes Festival is held. The event takes place in Elmont, in the neighborhood surrounding Belmont Park and within the track itself. Attendees partake in live music, food trucks and craft beer during the celebration, which lasts for three days and concludes with the running of the Belmont Stakes.
Belmont Stakes Winning Times
Secretariat, the Triple Crown Winner
Lovingly referred to as Big Red due to his gleaming chestnut coat and large size. Secretariat was born in March 1970 and won five Eclipse Awards, horse racing’s highest honor, during his two-year career. Secretariat raced as a homebred for Meadow Stable for owner Penny Chenery after her father’s death.
Sired by champion Bold Ruler and mare Somethingroyal, Secretariat was named Horse of the Year as a two- and three-year-old and is still the only horse to achieve this honor.
Trained by Hall of Fame member Lucien Lauren, Secretariat won five stakes as a two-year-old and was so impressive, he was syndicated for his stud career early in his sophomore season for a then-record $6.08 million.
Not only did Secretariat win the Triple Crown, but he also set records in all three races which still stand. He is only of two horses to win the Kentucky Derby in under two minutes, with the other being Monarchos in 2001, and his Belmont Stakes victory is considered by many to be the greatest horse race of all-time. He is the second-highest ranked thoroughbred in the history of the sport behind Man o’ War.
Secretariat also won major stakes on turf to prove his versatility. He was retired to Claiborne Farm after his three-year-old campaign and died there in 1989 from laminitis at age 19.
Best Belmont Stakes Bets
While he never reached the lofty achievements in the breeding shed that he did on the racetrack, Secretariat is considered to be an outstanding broodmare sire and is in many pedigrees of champion racehorses. It is thought he was such an excellent broodmare because he physically had the largest heart of any American racehorse and that genetic trait was passed on to many of his fillies rather than his colts.