It is true that the best Triple Crown races are rarely the last one. But that’s how it looks this year with the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes. At the beginning is arguably the best 3-year-old in Forte, the winner of the Preakness Stakes. Next is National Treasure and eight other horses who should be fresh enough for the 1½-mile course. Now we have the 2023 Belmont Stakes Odds, known as “The Test of Champions” because of its length. It might be the only time they run that far in a horse’s career on a dirt surface.
2023 Belmont Stakes
| Date and Time: | Saturday, June 10, 2023. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Belmont Park, Elmont, New York |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
2023 Belmont Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Forte | 3-1 |
| Tapit Trice | 7-2 |
| Angel of Empire | 4-1 |
| National Treasure | 6-1 |
| Arabian Lion | 10-1 |
| Arcangelo | 10-1 |
| Hit Show | 15-1 |
| Red Route One | 20-1 |
| Reincarnate | 30-1 |
| Raise Cain | 30-1 |
| Sun Thunder | 30-1 |
| Prove Worthy | 30-1 |
2023 Belmont Stakes SBG Odds Overview
Of course, the 2023 Kentucky Derby clouded in a series of horse deaths. And late sportsbook scratches that watered down the field to 18 horses in the 20-gate field. To show, Forte was scratched the morning of the Derby because of a bruise on his hoof.
2023 Belmont Stakes Top Contenders
Forte 3-1
Namely, Forte is working out like a champ at Belmont and seeking final medical clearance to compete. Correlate that he’s won five races in a row. Forte captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November and added two significant victories this year. First was a romp at 1-2 betting odds in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Second was an all-out battle to the wire with Mage in the Florida Derby. Forte overcame a wide post and parlayed the brilliant athleticism of jockey Irad Ortiz to run down Mage just before the wire.
Tapit Trice 7-2
In sum, Tapit Trice won the Blue Grass and had high expectations going into the Kentucky Derby. He has had a strong pace to run at, which also was in his favor. But he was unable to fire and ran a non-descript seventh. As a result, that was a surprise to those who had seen him run late in capturing the Blue Grass Stakes. Perhaps he just hit the wall of his talent level.
Tapit Trice is trained by Todd Pletcher. To illuminate, Pletcher has won three Belmont Stakes races with Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013), and Tapwrit (2017). Also, Tapit’s offspring have enjoyed amazing success at the Belmont, so that he won’t be overlooked.
Angel of Empire 4-1
Previously, Angel of Empire enjoyed two nice stakes victories with the Risen Star Stakes and Arkansas Derby. He had the desired blistering pace to close on in the Kentucky Derby and gave an honest effort before finishing a belated third. Positioning was a problem in that race as he was beaten to the inside hole and forced outside. Thus, that probably cost him at least second to Two Phil’s.
Now positioning should be less of a problem in a shorter field. With Mage and Two Phil’s not running, Angel of Empire becomes the most accomplished distance horse in the field. That means he’s done the best going the longest, at 1 1-4 miles in the Kentucky Derby.
National Treasure 6-1
Of great concern is that the controversial Bob Baffert is the trainer for National Treasure. The Hall of Fame trainer piloted Justify to the last Triple Crown in 2018 and had American Pharoah in 2018. With National Treasure, he’s like a baseball manager who over-achieves with a team.
Previously, National Treasure was scratched as the favorite in the San Felipe with a foot injury. He returned in April to gain a closing fourth in the Santa Anita Derby.
2023 Belmont Stakes SBG Odds Free Picks
On the whole, Forte is the best horse in the field for the 2023 Belmont Stakes Odds.
2023 Belmont Stakes SBG Best Bets: Forte.