Belmont Stakes Odds: Saratoga Hosts the Final Leg of the Triple Crown

Belmont Stakes 2024 Odds

My Top 3 Picks to Win the Belmont Stakes

Antiquarian

A new shooter to the Triple Crown series, this Todd Pletcher-trainee comes into the Belmont off a solid win in the Grade 3 Peter Pan. In the late stages of that 9-furlong test at Aqueduct, the son of Preservationist looked like a horse wanting the added distance that he will get in the 10-furlong Belmont.

Still lightly raced, he made his stakes debut in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby with only a pair of maiden races under his belt. Despite finishing out of the money, he ran on well after having a lot go wrong that afternoon. He broke through the gate before the race, was banged at the start, and lacked room at a key juncture. Off that tough experience, he looked like he had learned plenty for his fourth lifetime start, the Peter Pan.

In Todd Pletcher, he has a trainer who knows how to get them ready for the final leg of the Triple Crown, and there are few better or more experienced than his jockey, John Velazquez. Moving forward at the right time, and sitting a good trip in mid-pack, I fully expect this one to be ready for the big challenge of the Belmont. Offering great value on Saturday, he is the top pick.

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Sierra Leone

Two noses away from being undefeated, including a heartbreaking defeat in the Kentucky Derby, this late-running son of Gun Runner will be a deserving favorite of the Belmont Stakes. An impressive winner of both the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes and the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes to begin the year, he was his own worst enemy when lugging in the entire stretch of the Run for the Roses.

Having skipped the middle leg, he will have a new rider in Flavien Prat, and a new bit to help him run a straight course down the Saratoga stretch on Saturday. With a decent amount of early pace expected in front of him, things should set up favorably for him as long as he kicks in with the finish we have come to expect.

Trained by Chad Brown, who always excels at Saratoga, there is plenty to like about the morning line favorite. If he turns in a performance like his first three runs this year, he will be the horse to beat on Saturday. He will need to be on his best behavior, though, as any negative antics once again could get him beat in this solid field of ten.

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Mystik Dan

One of my longshot plays in the Kentucky Derby, he will be the only horse that will run in all three legs of the Triple Crown. This son of Goldencents has obviously bounced back in tip-top shape for trainer Kenny McPeek after his solid runs in the Derby and the Preakness.

In the first leg at Churchill Downs, he rode the rail and just held off a fast charging Sierra Leone at 10 furlongs. He will look to do much the same on Saturday at Saratoga. He has tactical speed and allows his regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. to position him anywhere early according to the pace in front of him. With speed to his inside, look for him to take up the familiar position of stalking from the rail.

His turn of foot is an advantage, as he looks to go by the speed and hold off the late runners. I only like him third best in this one, but once again the Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up must be respected. If the Saratoga track comes up wet on Saratoga, we know Mystik Dan can handle an off track.

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My Daily Double, Exacta, and Trifecta Picks for the Belmont Stakes - Best Bets to Make

• $20 Friday & Saturday 2-Day Daily Double (Acorn/Belmont) - Thorpedo Anna with Antiquarian and Sierra Leone = $40 

• $10 Exacta Part Wheel - Antiquarian and Sierra Leone over Antiquarian, Sierra Leone, Mystik Dan, and Seize the Grey = $60 

• $2 Trifecta Part Wheel - Antiquarian and Sierra Leone over Antiquarian, Sierra Leone, Mystik Dan, and Seize the Grey over Antiquarian, Sierra Leone, Mystik Dan, Seize the Grey, and Resilience = $36

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How to Watch the Belmont Stakes 2024

Belmont Stakes Race Information

• What: Belmont Stakes (Grade 1) 

• Location: Saratoga Race Course

• Time: Saturday, June 8 - 6:41 pm Eastern time

• How to Watch: NBC

• Purse: $2,000,000