Betting Picks

Belmont Stakes Picks: Belmont Goes From Late Closer To Starter

The COVID-19 outbreak has turned the world upside down, and it’s inverted the order of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown. Traditionally, the Belmont Stakes is the third jewel in the crown. Due to this fact, the Belmont Stakes odds are the first to appear at major sportsbooks.

Odds to win the 2020 Belmont Stakes
Tiz The Law	-150	-150	-200
Tap It To Win	+500	+500	+550
Mischevious Alex	+600	+600	+600
Dr Post	+700	+750	+750
Sole Volante	+650	+600	+850
Max Player	+1200	+1400	+1300
Modernist	+1600	+1600	+1600

This year, thanks to coronavirus postponements of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, it will lead off the Triple Crown batting order on June 20th. The race has also been shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 3/8 miles.

• Tiz The Law is the overwhelming 3-2 favorite to win the Belmont Stakes
• He’s also the -150 odds-on favorite at MyBookie
• Tap It To Win is the second betting choice at MyBookie (+500) but third in the Belmont morning line at 12-1

Normally, the Belmont Stakes is the race that separates the true champions from the pretenders in pursuit of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown. Just 13 horses managed to put together victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes and prove themselves worthy of the title Triple Crown champion. However, 23 others came to the Belmont two-for-two and came up short in the quest for glory in Triple Crown betting.

This year, COVID-19 has flipped the script. The coronavirus pandemic led to the postponement of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. That means in 2020, Belmont Stakes betting leads off the chase for the Triple Crown. The Derby won’t be contested at Churchill Downs until Sept. 5th. Pimlico Downs plays host to the Preakness Stakes on Oct. 3rd.

The Belmont was also delayed from June 6th to June 20th. And the race will be shorter this year – just 1 3/8 miles instead of the traditional mile and a half.

Let’s look at the Belmont contenders and potential value bets.

• 1The Rule Of Tiz The Law
• 2Best Belmont Stakes Prop Bets

The Rule Of Tiz The Law

2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist comes from the same breeding line as 2020 Favorite Tiz The Law. Photo by: Jlvsclrk (Wikimedia).

Established as the morning line chalk, Florida Derby winner Tiz The Law seeks to become the first New York-bred winner of the Belmont since Forester in 1882. He’s won four of his five career starts.

However, Tiz The Law lists the same owner (Sackatoga Stable) and trainer (Barclay Tagg) as Funny Cide, who came to the 2003 Belmont off wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but came up a cropper, finishing third despite being sent off as the +100 chalk in the Belmont odds.

Should You Tap It To Win?

Trainer Mark Casse will seek to become the 11th trainer to win consecutive Belmonts when he sends out Tap It To Win. Casse won last year’s race with Sir Winston. He also captured the Preakness with Will To Win, so he’ll be seeking his third successive trip to a Triple Crown winner’s circle.

Tap It To Win is unbeaten in two 2020 starts.

Pletcher Sends Out Pair

Trainer Todd Pletcher is always worth a look at the Belmont Stakes odds. He owns four Belmont victories and has a pair of contenders in Saturday’s eight-horse field.

Farmington Road (+2000) is known as a late closer, which could be handy in a distance race like the Belmont. Dr. Post (+750) is making his graded stakes debut and is on a two-race win streak.

BABB Belmont Stakes Pick: Tap It To Win (+500).

Best Belmont Stakes Prop Bets

Stretch drive of the 1999 Belmont Stakes. Photo by: Public Domain.

You’ll find a number of intriguing Belmont prop wagers on offer at MyBookie.

Will Belmont Winner Lead Wire To Wire?

Yes on this prop is worth +400, while no-goes for -750. It’s rare to see a wire-to-wire winner in a long race like the Belmont.

Even Secretariat didn’t do it during his 31-length win in 1973.

Belmont Last Place Saddle Cloth Number

A 50/50 shot here. An odd number garners -170 odds and an even number goes for +130.

The last three horses to bring up the rear in the Belmont wore odd numbers on their saddlecloths.

Will There Be A Triple Crown Winner in 2020?

Horse racing has seen two Triple Crown winners in five years after going without one since 1978.

However, the bizarre nature of this year’s schedule makes the Triple Crown odds very slim.

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you: