Belmont Stakes Odds and Online Betting

The 2019 Belmont Stakes Odds

With the 2019 Preakness Stakes in the books, we move on to the third leg of the 2019 Triple Crown: The Belmont Stakes. The 2019 Preakness Stakes results where as follows:

• War of Will - $14.20 to Win, $7.40 to Place and $5.40 to Show
• Everfast - $32.00 to Place and $14.40 to Show
• Owendale paid $6.00 to Show
• Exacta - $2 paid $947
• Trifecta - $1 paid $4,699.80
• Superfecta - $1 paid $5,192.40

Belmont Stakes Top Contenders

He might not win the Triple Crown this year, but War of Will can still put his name in the history books with a victory at Saturday’s Belmont Stakes (6:45 PM ET post time, NBC). After having Maximum Security veer into his path at the Kentucky Derby, resulting in a seventh-place finish – and Maximum Security’s historic disqualification – War of Will earned his redemption by taking down the Preakness Stakes, cashing in at 4/1 on the morning line.

The Belmont Stakes betting odds at press time have War of Will near the front of the pack, but despite his success at the Preakness, he’s not the favorite for Saturday’s big race at Belmont Park in New York. Here’s how the top five Thoroughbreds stack up, with a closer look at the potential value picks in what’s shaping up to be a quality 10-horse field.

1. Tacitus (+200)

There’s a good reason why Tacitus is the early No. 1 on the odds for Belmont Stakes futures. Aside from the two recent Triple Crown winners (American Pharoah in 2015, and Justify last year), horses who have skipped the Preakness after running in the Kentucky Derby have fared very well at Belmont Park. Enter Tacitus, the Kentucky-bred colt trained by Bill Mott. Tacitus finished third at Churchill Downs after winning the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and the Grade 2 Wood Memorial; he has the stamina for the Belmont with sire Tapit producing three of the last five champions in Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016) and Tapwrit (2017).

2. War of Will (+250)

He may be second on the Belmont Stakes 2019 odds list, but it’s hard to argue about War of Will’s bona fides. He finished first at the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes and the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes before buckling early at the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby and coming in ninth. Then came the debacle at Churchill Downs, where War of Will broke from the rail – the same position he drew at the Preakness. Trained by Mark E. Casse, there’s some concern that War of Will might run out of gas as the only horse to run all three legs of this year’s Triple Crown. However, this gorgeous bay has only run five times this year, so he should still have something left in the tank.

3. Master Fencer (+700)

There’s a big gap in the Belmont Stakes betting race between the top two contenders and the rest of the pack. But there’s still plenty of value with many of these Belmont semi-shooters, and Master Fencer could be the right choice to fill out your trifectas or superfectas. The Japanese-bred colt, trained by Koichi Tsunoda, rallied to place sixth at the Kentucky Derby; that late surge bodes well for his chances at Belmont Park, although his chances of overtaking the favorites are slim.

4. Everfast (+800)

Here’s another horse who could crack the top three when the dust has cleared. Everfast came in second behind War of Will at the Preakness, his best result since taking second at the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes in early February. Trainer Dale Romans has brought four horses to the Belmont podium, most recently Keen Ice in 2015. Everfast’s odds on the Belmont Stakes might lengthen between now and when the morning line comes out, which should be right after Tuesday’s post position draw, but that will only make him a more compelling choice to use underneath.

5. Bourbon War (+800)

It won’t be easy to find a value pick on the Belmont Stakes odds board who can actually take down the top contenders, rather than contend for third or fourth place. In theory, Bourbon War might have a puncher’s chance; he’s another Tapit product, and he should be reasonably fresh for Saturday after not competing in the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, Bourbon War is coming off a disappointing eighth-place finish at the Preakness, where he wore blinkers for the first time (they reportedly won’t be used at the Belmont), and trainer Mark Hennig has yet to win any of the three Triple Crown races.

Top Three Value Horses in the Belmont Stakes

Of the remaining five horses being considered for the Belmont at press time, three in particular stand out as potential value picks on the Belmont Stakes betting lines. The first two on this list are worth considering for a Win bet; all three can be used to complete your trifectas and superfectas.

1. Intrepid Heart (+1200)

This figures to be the best value on the board right now, although he doesn’t have the big-race experience you’d normally prefer in a Belmont contender. Once again, Tapit is the sire of this gray colt, and he’s got two of the best human teammates around in trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez. Intrepid Heart hasn’t raced since finishing third at the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes, after getting out of the gate at Belmont Park poorly; that was just his second race of the year, the other being an allowance victory at Keeneland. There’s nothing but upside here.

2. Tax (+1200)

If you’d prefer a horse with a more proven track record, Tax had three straight podium finishes heading into the Kentucky Derby, including first place at the Grade 3 Withers Stakes and a solid second behind Tacitus at the Wood Memorial. That was all washed away when the Danny Gargan-trained gelding came in 14th at Churchill Downs. There’s a chance that Tax won’t be included in Tuesday’s draw, after some so-so workouts at Belmont over the weekend, but his pedigree is loaded with stamina, and he’s clearly comfortable racing in New York.

3. Spinoff (+1200)

If you want to bet on Belmont Stakes trifectas or superfectas, Spinoff is considered one of the best choices to use underneath in this race. Another Pletcher trainee, Spinoff was 4-for-4 on podium finishes, including second at the Louisiana Derby, before placing 18th at the Kentucky Derby. Provided that was an anomaly, then it’s all systems go for Saturday after skipping the Preakness. His sire, Hard Spun, also produced Wicked Strong, who came in fourth at both the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Other Odds and Info

The remaining two horses pointed at the Belmont Stakes are Sir Winston (+1600) and Joevia (+2500), neither of whom is being given much chance of winning – although Sir Winston might technically be a bargain after rallying to finish second at the Peter Pan. Joevia, like Tax, is also considered more “possible” than “probable” to enter the Belmont. Weather-wise, Saturday’s forecast looks almost perfect for racing: Partly cloudy with light winds and temperatures in the mid-70s, and no rain expected between now and post time. 

Unlike many races, the Test of the Champions has been kind to long shots in recent years, with seven of the last 22 winners cashing in at 25/1 or more. Favorites have won just four of those races, but it’ll be tempting to put together a quinella this year with Tacitus and War of Will so far ahead on the Belmont futures market. This could be a repeat of the 2017 Belmont Stakes, where second-favorite Tapwrit won by two lengths over favorite Irish War Cry. Stay tuned for fresh Belmont odds and analysis right here at Bovada following Tuesday’s post position draw.