Odds and Prediction for the 2023 Belmont Stakes – Betting on This Year’s Winner

On Saturday, June 10th, the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes will take place in Belmont, New York.

The third and arguably the most grueling of the three thoroughbred races of the Triple Crown, runs a distance of 12 furlongs—a mile and a half, on what has been traditionally considered the “fairest” of all racetracks.

Historically, few winners have come from behind in this race, and tactical runners (and their human connections) are favored in the contest.

This year’s selection of competitors is a grab bag of talent, skill, and ability, though, so anything is possible. Let’s dive right into the 2023 Belmont Stakes odds.

The first active wagers on horse races like the Belmont Stakes are the futures, when various race books at the best betting sites post their own current odds for the Belmont Stakes for which contender will win that race.

In the table above, you can see the 2023 Belmont Stakes odds from top betting sites like BetUS and MyBookie.

Generally, sportsbooks offer generous welcome bonuses, so you can always read our MyBookie review to see what the site has to offer.

Forte is the current favorite to win – even after missing both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Tapit Trice is not too far behind.

The winner of the Preakness Stakes, National Treasure, odds suggest he won’t cross the line first, but let’s move forward with our next section to see why Forte is the favorite.

Of course, if you’re ready to bet on any of the top horses now, the best option may be MyBookie in terms of pricing.

Despite being scratched from the Kentucky Derby because of a bruised foot and missing the Preakness to recover, Forte remains the oddsmakers’ favorite for the final and most grueling run of the Triple Crown.

Should he be ready and able, that is.

His record says it all: He’s won six of his seven professional races, and the wins were not a standard allowance or claiming races. After breaking his maiden last year, he came in fourth in his second pro run, the Sanford Stakes (Grade III).

Since then, he’s made it to the winner’s circle every race, including the Florida Derby (Grade I), the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade II), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I), and the Breeders’ Futurity (Grade I).

Trainer Todd Pletcher is optimistic Forte will be ready for the Belmont Stakes and has been working the colt out with the help of his regular jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Pletcher told NBC Sports recently: “It seems like [Forte’s] maintained his fitness level. It seems like everything is in good order.”

So, let’s put Pletcher down for cautiously optimistic. If you want to bet on Forte’s chances, I suggest heading to MyBookie to place your bets.

Because the odds-on Triple Crown favorite has never made it to the starting gate to either of the first two jewels in the crown, there’s a better than slim chance he won’t be near Belmont come June 10th.

And because of that, we need to take a good look at the remaining contenders—and there are easily three for which the winner’s circle is a definite possibility.

If Forte fails to make it to the Elmont next Saturday, then the 2023 Belmont Stakes current odds predict that Tapit Trice is the heir apparent for the Belmont winner’s traditional blanket of white carnations.

Trice’s seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby in early May, everyone from trainer Todd Pletcher to oddsmakers worldwide seem to believe the colt is a serious contender in the Belmont Stakes.

His sire, Tapit, has already seen three of his sons win the Belmont in previous years– Tonalist, Creator, and Essential Quality.

In terms of accomplishments, Tapit Trice is second only to Forte in significant racing wins. Could it happen for Tapit Trice at Belmont? The answer you’re looking for is “yes.”

According to the various early 2023 Belmont Stakes odds, Tapit Trice has a good price and could easily make someone a happy punter, indeed.

This Brad Cox-trained colt won two of the Road to the Kentucky Derby’s bellwether races—the Risen Star Stakes (Grade II) and the Arkansas Derby (Grade I).

He also finished third in the Kentucky Derby, announcing his presence, as they say, with authority.

Cox kept Angel of Empire and another KD horse—Hit Show—out of the Preakness due to the hard work the two had put in during the Kentucky Derby.

“He’s [Angel of Empire] bounced back well,” Cox told Thoroughbred Daily News recently.

“It was the same thing with Hit Show. Both ran hard and well. […] it was an easy decision to skip the Preakness and turn our attention toward the Belmont.”

I’m least impressed with this Baffert-trained colt.

Sure, he won the Preakness (spending the last few lengths fighting Blazing Sevens for the lead), and Baffert certainly knows his stuff.

Still, like Mage’s victory in the Kentucky Derby, I think Baffert and National Treasure were equally shocked when the three-year-old first crossed the Preakness finish line.

The longer 2023 Belmont Stakes odds on him echo my sentiments, but he could have another win up his sleeve, so find your best price and make a wager.

Who will win the 2023 Belmont Stakes?

As I’ve maintained for the last few months, if Forte is in the race, it is his to lose. But it’s quite likely he won’t be there, so it’s best to have a solid backup at long enough odds to make the wager worthwhile.

This Steve Asmussen-trained chestnut colt has done yeoman service in his brief career, finishing in the money in several Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers.

He missed acquiring enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, but a win in the Bath House Row Stakes (formerly the Oaklawn Stakes) secured a guaranteed ticket to the Preakness Stakes, where he finished in fourth place.

I think this sleeper has real potential, and his triple-digit speed figures tend to substantiate that opinion.

I wouldn’t bet the entire farm on him, but his probable odds for the Belmont suggest he’s a good investment. Head to BetUS if you want to back this sleeper pick!

As I’ve supported Forte for both eh Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, I’d be little more than a hypocrite to turn my back on him now. So, I won’t.

If Forte is in the Belmont starting gate this year, I believe he will win.

That said, it’s certainly likely that he won’t get cleared for the 12-furlong ordeal. In which case, I’m suggesting backing the most apparent runner-up—Tapit Trice.

The closer the race comes, the more likely you are to see little profit betting either horse on the nose, but box either of them with Red Route One and Angel of Empire, and you’ll have yourself a solid potential for a substantial return.

One last thing: be sure to check out a goodly selection of horse racing betting websites to find the best 2023 Belmont Stakes odds for your wagers.

Footnotes:

• NBC Sports reports on Forte’s Belmont Stakes race clearance.
• Daily Racing Form reports on Tapit Trice’s success.
• Thoroughbred Daily News reports on trainer, Brad Cox, two horses racing in the Belmont Stakes.