Make Smarter Belmont Stakes Bets

The Belmont Stakes is the third and final jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown, and while it usually presents the unique challenge to top three-year-old contenders of a 1 1/2-mile distance (12 furlongs), this year it will match the 1 1/4-mile distance (10 furlongs) of the Kentucky Derby. The reason for the reduction is a temporary change in venue from the mammoth oval of Belmont Park to the smaller yet historical Saratoga course in upstate New York.

If you want to place a wager on the 156th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8, here are some simple tips and tactics to help you make smart bets.

Time and place

• Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
• Post time: 6:41 p.m. ET
• Place: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY

Odds

The Belmont Stakes odds have been released and post positions have been drawn. Don't miss our analysis of the Belmont Stakes field, which features Sierra Leone as the 9-5 morning-line favorite.  

Picks and predictions

Covers' lead horse racing analyst Robert Criscola will give his Belmont Stakes picks and predictions and supply his Belmont Stakes Exacta, Trifecta & Superfecta picks for the "Test of the Champion" in the days leading up to the event.

Horses 

Nine horses ran in the Belmont Stakes last year, and a field of 10 is expected to run in this year's renewal. The biggest Belmont Stakes field was 15 horses in 1983. 

To qualify for the Belmont Stakes, a thoroughbred horse must be three years old. Colts carry 126 pounds, while fillies are given a five-pound weight allowance. All potential contenders must be nominated to the Triple Crown series, and must pay $30,000 in entry and starter fees to run in the race.

Watch

Horse racing fans can watch the 2024 Belmont Stakes on FOX.

How to bet on horse racing

Big races like the Belmont Stakes have a massive mainstream appeal and many bettors new to horse racing tune in. If you’re looking to learn the betting basics or need a refresher on some simple tips, check out our horse racing for beginners guide.

Belmont Stakes history

This year’s event will be the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes, making it the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. That means plenty of history is behind “The Test of the Champion."

Distances

The Belmont Stakes is typically the longest of the Triple Crown races at its standard distance of 1 1/2 miles, though it will be run at 1 1/4-miles in 2024 and 2025 due to construction at Belmont Park and the different dimensions at Saratoga, the race's temporary home. The 2020 Belmont Stakes was held at 1 1/8 miles after the Triple Crown order was shuffled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the Belmont the first race instead of the third.

Triple Crown road

The Belmont Stakes is the final challenge for any horse contending for the Triple Crown after winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. However, there is no Triple Crown hopeful heading into the 2024 Belmont.

There have been 13 Triple Crown champions that came through Belmont Park, while 18 horses have won both the Preakness and the Belmont but not the Derby. Eleven horses have won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Preakness.

Fastest Belmont

The record for the fastest 1 1/2-mile time in the Belmont Stakes belongs to famed Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who ran the 12 furlongs in 2:24 back in 1973. 

Where can I bet on the Belmont Stakes?

Several legal horse racing specialist betting sites offer odds on the most popular races from around the world, including the Belmont Stakes.

Here are the best horse racing betting sites available.

Belmont Stakes FAQs

Pages related to this topic