The Belmont Stakes 2022 is finally here, as Belmont Park plays host to the final Triple Crown race of the year. It is set to be a thrilling renewal of the race, with all eyes likely to be on Kentucky Derby winner Rich Crown.
However, we expect there to be value in the betting for the race this weekend, as we like a selection at higher odds.
Belmont Stakes Information
This year’s race will once again see the field tackle the distance of 1½ miles for the first time in their career.
Regarded as the truest test of this year’s three-year-olds, the Belmont Stakes is a much more tactical affair than both the Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby. The race this year boasts a purse of $1.5 million, with the majority of that going to the winning connections.
Eddie Arcaro and Jim McLaughlin are the joint-most successful jockeys in the history of the Belmont Stakes, with both recording six victories apiece.
Meanwhile, James G. Rowe Sr remains the most successful trainer, as he recorded eight victories between 1883 and 1913.
Belmont Stakes Betting Analysis
The Belmont Stakes odds were released after the Preakness Stakes, but there has been a shake-up in the market following the draw earlier in the week. Below, you can find the draw for the Triple Crown race, as well as the latest odds.
Stall | Horse | Odds |
1 | We The People | 11/4 |
2 | Skippylongstocking | 16/1 |
3 | Nest | 7/1 |
4 | Rich Strike | 9/2 |
5 | Creative Minister | 6/1 |
6 | Mo Donegal | 9/4 |
7 | Golden Glider | 20/1 |
8 | Barber Road | 12/1 |
When learning how to bet on horse racing, you find out the importance of waiting to get the best odds. For bettors of Mo Donegal, we could see the three-year-old drifting slightly as we get to post-time.
Meanwhile, I would predict that We The People and Rich Strike will be much shorter as we approach the off.
Belmont Stakes Contenders
We The People
We The People is the horse that I believe will go off favorite for the Belmont Stakes this weekend. The three-year-old was excellent on his previous start, which came at Belmont Park, as he beat Golden Glider by ten lengths to capture the G3 Peter Pan. It’s no surprise to see the Rodolphe Brisset-trained horse feature among the popular Belmont Stakes picks this year given his experience at the track.
That is supported by the fact that five of the previous ten winners of the race have started at least once at Belmont Park before the final Triple Crown race. However, this is a much sterner test for this three-year-old. On his last appearance in a Grade 1 he finished way back in seventh over 1 1/8 miles in the G1 Arkansas Derby.
Mo Donegal
As soon as it was announced by Todd Pletcher that Mo Donegal would be heading to the Belmont Stakes, he was among the popular Belmont Stakes predictions. Despite drawing stall one, the three-year-old traveled well to finish fifth in the G1 Kentucky Derby last month.
He is also a graded winner having claimed success in the G2 Wood Memorial over recently crowned Preakness victor Early Voting.
It certainly also helps his claims this weekend that Mo Donegal has already won at Belmont Park, as he broke his maiden at the track over 1 1/16 miles in October. However, his closing style could be a slight concern this weekend if he is as far back as he was at Churchill Downs last month.
Rich Strike
Rich Strike will be looking to join the likes of Justify and American Pharoah to win the Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby in the same year. Eric Reed has been quietly optimistic about his shock 81/1 Derby winner over the past week but believes that the step up in trip will only suit his chances event more.
However, one thing is for certain; he will need to travel much closer to the leading pack this time, as he will not have the same luxury of a clear run as he did at Churchill Downs.
Rich Strike is a strange horse to examine ahead of the Belmont Stakes this weekend, as he is likely going to be extremely short in the betting.
For me, that is enough to put me off. I think there are still too many questions that this three-year-old needs to answer, and it can’t be ruled out that his Derby success was a flash in the pan. But, there will likely be fewer more popular winners on Saturday.
Belmont Stakes Betting Prediction
I have thought extremely hard when it comes to making my Belmont Stakes 2022 predictions this year. But, I have landed on the filly in the field, Nest. She will be looking to become the fourth female winner of the race, and ticks almost all the boxes.
She broke her maiden at the track in September over 1 1/16 miles and has been excellent when stepped up, claiming successes in both the G2 Demoiselle and G1 Ashland over the past six months.
In the G1 Kentucky Oaks, where she finished second, it looked as though she wanted even longer, as she was closing the gap as she approached the line. Brisnet speed figures also point to a strong run, as she is one of a handful to have produced double-digit figures in each of her previous two starts.
Meanwhile, the previous filly winner of this race, Rags to Riches is from the same damsire A.P. Indy, who won the Belmont Stakes in 1992. At around 7/1, I think she has an excellent chance this weekend to make history.
How To Bet on the Belmont Stakes
The betting markets for the Belmont Stakes are already open with the leading sportsbooks. Bettors can place wagers on the exotics, as well as having the opportunity to place their wager on the win, place, and show markets.
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