The 2023 Triple Crown draws to its exciting conclusion Saturday, June 10 in the Belmont Stakes! The race is called the Test of the Champion for good reason: it covers 1 ½ miles on Belmont Park’s deep, sandy dirt track. The deepest and classiest field of any Triple Crown race this year will run for a $1.5 million purse and a place in horse racing history.
If you are serious about horse racing betting, you cannot miss the Belmont Stakes. It is a handicapping challenge like no other, and the payouts can be huge for anyone who figures out that puzzle correctly. Keep reading to find out the best horses to bet in the 2023 Belmont Stakes, as well as the best places to bet the race online.
2023 Belmont Stakes Contenders
These are the contenders for the 2023 Belmont Stakes including their trainers, jockeys, post positions, and morning lines:
- Tapit Shoes (Brad Cox/Jose Ortiz) - 20/1
- Tapit Trice (Todd Pletcher/Luis Saez) - 3/1
- Arcangelo (Jena Antonucci/Javier Castellano) - 8/1
- National Treasure (Bob Baffert/John Velazquez) - 5/1
- Il Miracolo (Antonio Sano/Marcos Meneses) - 30/1
- Forte (Todd Pletcher/Irad Ortiz) - 5/2
- Hit Show (Brad Cox/Manuel Franco) - 10/1
- Angel of Empire (Brad Cox/Flavien Prat) - 7/2
- Red Route One (Steve Asmussen/Joel Rosario) - 15/1
The morning line is merely the track’s best guess about what odds will look like at post time. On track, you are not guaranteed those odds: they will swing all the way until post time, leaving you vulnerable to late shifts.
You can maximize your profit by betting the Belmont Stakes online. Online sportsbooks offer fixed-odds wagering on major horse races and sports betting events, meaning you can lock in your odds the moment you place your bet. That way, you can be confident from the moment you bet that you are getting the overlay you expect!
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forte | +200 | +250 | +250 |
| Angel of Empire | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Tapit Trice | +400 | +300 | +300 |
| National Treasure | +600 | +500 | +500 |
| Arcangelo | +600 | +800 | +800 |
| Hit Show | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
Betting the Belmont Stakes Online
It can seem difficult picking the best online sportsbook, since there are so many out there. Fortunately, our expert betting site reviews will make it easy for you to make a confident choice. All of our recommended betting sites have the basics you need for a good betting experience: trusted payouts and deposits, great user interfaces, and real Las Vegas odds on racing and sports.
Our reviews also help you choose the best online betting bonuses for your preferred stakes and wagering style. Selecting the right bonuses can boost your bankroll by hundreds or even thousands of dollars in cash or free bets thanks to deposit and sign-up bonuses, rebates, and referral incentives.
These are the best places to bet the Belmont Stakes online!
Belmont Stakes Handicapping
Now that you have created your online betting account, it is time to get to know the key betting horses for the Belmont Stakes:
Belmont Stakes Favorites
Trainer Todd Pletcher has the two favorites on the morning line: Forte and Tapit Trice. Between these two, Forte is stronger. Though he missed a start in the Kentucky Derby, he is effective off a layoff, working regularly, and should be able to get a clean trip midpack. Importantly, given the lack of pace in the Belmont, he should be able to sit well ahead of Tapit Trice early.
Angel of Empire, the beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby, could also find the frame in the Belmont. He has a similar problem in that he is a closer without a hot pace to chase, but he was able to run well without a fiery pace up front in the Arkansas Derby (G1). Unlike Tapit Trice’s Kentucky Derby disappointment, Angel of Empire was finishing with vigor, giving him promise for the extra distance.
Belmont Stakes Best Bet
The Belmont Stakes looks as paceless as the Preakness ended up being, and that’s good news for Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure. He keeps the blinkers he wore in the Preakness. He should be able to either outjump or quickly shake off outclassed longshot Il Miracolo, meaning he will be the one everyone has to catch. If he holds his form from the Preakness, that will be a difficult task.
Belmont Stakes Price Horses
Arcangelo is the most interesting longer shot in the Belmont Stakes field. Winner of the Peter Pan (G3) last out, he is a later-blooming horse who has already proven that he gets over the sandy Belmont Park footing well. He also has the tactical speed to find a spot in range of the pace, likely in the next flight behind National Treasure.
In terms of pedigree, Arcangelo brings the best 1 ½-mile breeding of anyone in the race. He is by Arrogate, a newer stallion whose progeny have stepped forward with more distance. Underneath, his pedigree is even better: his dam is a Tapit mare from the direct female line of Better than Honour, who produced Belmont winners Jazil and Rags to Riches.
Tapit Shoes also has some interest for underneath shares in the Belmont. In a race without a lot of pace, his tactical speed should get him significantly closer to National Treasure in the early to middle stages than most of the favorites. And, though his underneath pedigree suggests more middle distance (he is a half to Cyberknife), the Tapit on top could carry him a little further.
Belmont Stakes Best Bets
Now that you have met the contenders and made your wagering account, it is time for the best part of all: placing your bet for the Belmont Stakes. These are your expert wagers for the test of the champion:
- $20 to win - #4 National Treasure
- $1 exacta key - #4 National Treasure with #3 Arcangelo, #6 Forte
- $1 trifecta key - #4 National Treasure with #3 Arcangelo, #6 Forte, #8 Angel of Empire
- 20 cent superfecta key - #4 National Treasure with #1 Tapit Shoes, #3 Arcangelo, #6 Forte, #8 Angel of Empire
