The 2021 Triple Crown season draws to a close on Saturday, June 5 with the Belmont Stakes. The race will be held at Belmont Park, and it is one of the most important races of the year. The race offers a $1.5 million purse, and eight horses including champion Essential Quality and Preakness winner Rombauer will line up in the starting gate.
The Belmont was run as the first leg of the Triple Crown last year, at only a mile and an eighth. However, it is back in its customary place on the racing calendar, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness. It has returned to its traditional distance as well: at a mile and a half, it is once again the Test of the Champion.
2021 Belmont Field
These are the official entrants for the 2021 Belmont Stakes, along with their post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning line odds:
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Bourbonic - Todd Pletcher/Kendrick Carmouche (15/1)
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Essential Quality - Brad Cox/Luis Saez (2/1)
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Rombauer - Michael McCarthy/John Velazquez (3/1)
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Hot Rod Charlie - Doug O’Neill/Flavien Prat (7/2)
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France Go de Ina - Hideyuki Mori/Ricardo Santana, Jr. (30/1)
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Known Agenda - Todd Pletcher/Irad Ortiz, Jr. (6/1)
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Rock Your World - John Sadler/Joel Rosario (9/2)
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Overtook - Todd Pletcher/Manuel Franco (20/1)
Morning line odds, however, are merely the racetrack’s best guess as to what the price on each horse will be. Your best bet will be to check the odds at one of the best online sportsbooks, like BetOnline, find out which one is offering the best odds on your horse, and lock in the best odds online. Here are the current odds on the major contenders in the Belmont Stakes:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Quality | +200 | +225 | +200 |
| Rombauer | +275 | +375 | +250 |
| Hot Rod Charlie | +550 | +400 | +500 |
| Rock Your World | +500 | +425 | +700 |
| Known Agenda | +600 | +600 | +600 |
Belmont Contenders
The likely favorite in the Belmont Stakes, and the horse to beat, is #2 Essential Quality. Though he suffered his first defeat in the Kentucky Derby, it was still a good race. A rough start left him off the pace early, and even though speed held well he still rallied to be beaten only a length in the Kentucky Derby.
The smaller field should allow Essential Quality to get a better position. Furthermore, he has a good chance to stay the mile and a half of the Belmont Stakes. His sire Tapit has produced three Belmont Stakes winners already, and his female family is replete with route class.
The best option to spring a minor upset is the #6 Known Agenda. He drew the rail in the Derby, which led to trip trouble early that put him near last. He did pass some horses to finish in the middle of the field. Now, he faces a smaller field and is no longer mired on the rail. Leading Belmont Park rider Irad Ortiz takes the call again, and his trainer Todd Pletcher has already won three Belmonts.
#7 Rock Your World is interesting as well. A tough start at the beginning of the Kentucky Derby eliminated him, but with a clean near-outside draw in a smaller field, he should set the pace in the Belmont. Being forward in the Belmont can be advantageous. Furthermore, he has some quality turf stamina in the underside of his pedigree, which may help him stay the distance.
#3 Rombauer and #4 Hot Rod Charlie will likely take money, though there are questions about both. Rombauer is in great form and is more tactically versatile than he looked in California, but his pedigree isn’t the best for the distance. Hot Rod Charlie also has some pedigree questions, and trainer Doug O’Neill has never done well in the Belmont.
For those looking for a real longshot, consider #8 Overtook. He has to improve, but he handled Belmont well enough in the Peter Pan (G3) to suggest he can move forward second off the layoff. Furthermore, he has a much better-than-average pedigree to get the mile and a half trip, and trainer Todd Pletcher knows how to prepare a horse (even a longshot!) to run well in the Belmont Stakes.
Belmont Best Bets
Here are your best bets for the 2021 Belmont Stakes!
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$5 win-place-show: Known Agenda
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$1 exacta key: Known Agenda with Essential Quality and Rock Your World
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$1 Trifecta key: Known Agenda with Essential Quality, Rock Your World, and Overtook
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20 Cent Superfecta key: Known Agenda with Essential Quality, Rock Your World, Overtook, Rombauer
Betting the Belmont Online
Only 11,000 fans will be allowed to watch the Belmont Stakes in person. Though, if you’re far from New York or you’re not one of the lucky ones who got a ticket, you can still enjoy betting the Belmont Stakes from the comfort and safety of home!
Our racebook reviews give you all the trusted information you need to select the best place to bet on the Belmont Stakes. They will let you know where you can find the best odds and the best bettor incentives. Selecting the right sportsbook is the best way to make sure your Belmont betting experience is as profitable as possible.
Belmont Post Time and Wagering Menu
The 153rd edition of the Belmont Stakes will be run Saturday, June 5. The scheduled post time is 6:49 pm EDT. The race is the 11th on a 13-race card that includes nine stakes races, including eight Grade 1 events.
No matter what kinds of bets you like to make, you can make them on Belmont Day. Every race offers win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta bets. Throughout the day you can wager on the Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6, and Grand Slam. And, many online sportsbooks also offer head-to-head and prop betting on the Belmont.
