At the beginning of the week, Essential Quality remains the betting favorite for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Trainer Brad Cox’s top entry is a 7/2 public choice for the “Test of the Champion.” Also, Hot Rod Charlie remains the second choice of gamblers with the 2021 Belmont Stakes Odds. Saturday’s Belmont Stakes features one of the most challenging fields of the Triple Crown season to handicap. There is the combination of horses that ran in the first two legs with those that didn’t. Rest is always a factor for the Belmont Stakes. Especially with no Triple Crown at stake.
2021 Belmont Stakes
| Date and Time: | Saturday, June 5, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Belmont Park, Elmont, New York |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2021 Belmont Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Essential Quality | 7/2 |
| Hot Rod Charlie | 9/2 |
| Rombauer | 5/1 |
| Rock Your World | 6/1 |
| Known Agenda | 9/1 |
| Rebel’s Romance | 11/1 |
| Promise Keeper | 15/1 |
| Keepmeinmind | 20/1 |
| Bourbonic | 26/1 |
| France Go de Ina | 28/1 |
| Overtook | 30/1 |
2021 Belmont Stakes SBG Odds Overview
First among public awareness is Essential Quality. Remember that he was the hottest brand going for offshore betting action heading into the Kentucky Derby. Veteran horse handicappers remain convinced the Essential Quality is the best horse in the field. Cause by an impeccable resume before his fourth-place finish at the Kentucky Derby. Bargain hunters have a good menu of options as well. Consider the multiple-choice options of good horses and attractive prices.
Another factor is the marathon length of the Belmont Stakes. A total distance of 1.5 miles is a bridge too far for many of the best horses. And a distance that is rarely used in today’s softer era of horse racing. Modern horses are, like athletes, much more brittle and prone to injury.
Late Workouts
Last week Essential Quality was working out at Churchill Downs. He posted his fastest time in 43 practice sessions. Essential Quality ran five furlongs at a time of 59 2/5 seconds. Trainer Brad Cox was quite pleased with the showing and said it was a strong workout. Jockey Luis Saez will be on board Saturday. Further, Cox believes that Essential Quality has an advantage with the long Belmont Stakes distance. That is because he is the son of Tapit.
Hot Rod Charlie and Rock Your World arrived at Belmont Park on May 29 and began preparations. Dan O’Neill trained Hot Rod Charlie has shown well. In fact, O’Neil said that Hot Rod Charlie put on weight and looks “phenomenal.” O’Neil noted that the horse has evolved from running with the pack to now running alone. The trainer believes that his added trait could be an advantage on Saturday. Additionally, respected jockey Flavian Pratt will get the mount. O’Neil said that the Belmont pace is perfectly suited for Pratt, who he considers an excellent rider.
Rock Your World had a terrible 17th place finish at the Kentucky Derby. However, much of that can be explained by a bad break out of the starting gate. Trainer John Sadler’s horse was a popular choice heading into the Derby. Accordingly, he has been rested since that bad performance.
2021 Belmont Stakes SBG Odds Free Picks
At the onset of the week are potential lineup changes still to come. But the one constant with the 2021 Belmont Stakes Odds is Essential Quality as the clear favorite. Gamblers will spend this week looking for viable alternatives.