Belmont Stakes Betting: Will Mystik Dan Challenge Seize the Grey at Saratoga?
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Doug Upstone
- June 5, 2024
The Belmont Stakes is an eagerly anticipated Grade 1 race that takes place at Belmont Park in New York each year. It is the final leg of the Triple Crown, following on from the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. That makes it one of the most prestigious race events of the year, and it is popular with bettors across the United States.
Our betting guide to this major horse race will highlight the best international online racebooks for Belmont Stakes wagers. We will break down the key horse racing betting options available on the race and explain the most appealing betting promotions. Read on to learn more about online horse racing betting on the Belmont Stakes.
Top Belmont Stakes Betting Sites
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | ONLINE SINCE | Expert Review | BONUS | Bet Now |
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1996
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$500 Cash Bonus
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2011
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$750 Cash Bonus
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2001
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100% Free Play
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2001
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$250 Free Bet
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2002
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55% Cash Bonus
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1996
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$1,000 Cash Bonus
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2014
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50% Free Play
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2024 Belmont Stakes Info
- Track: Saratoga Race Course*
- Race: 13
- Post Time: 7:01 PM ET
- Race Status: Grade 1
- Distance: 1-1/4 miles*
- Conditions: Dirt
- Purse: $2,000,000
- Track: Left-handed
2024 Belmont Stakes best bets
Because Belmont Park is being renovated, Saratoga will be the host of the next two Belmont’s. The track size does not lend itself to the usual 1 1/2 miles we are used to. It will instead be run at 1 ¼ miles, the same as the Kentucky Derby.
Though we are fans of both Triple Crown winners Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey, not sure they can get to the finish line first in upstate New York. Sierra Leone is two noses away from being a perfect 5 for 5 in the winners’ circle. Mindframe is right there in our mind to exit a winner and the only aspect holding us back is the lack of experience. If Antiquarian hit the finish line first, no surprise here, as Pletcher is a four-time winner of this race.
2024 Belmont Stakes
the pick
| 2024 Belmont Stakes Best Bets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Win | Place | Show |
| #9 Sierra Leone | #10 Mindframe | #5 Antiquarian |
2024 Belmont Stakes Betting Guide
The Belmont Stakes is the last of the Triple Crown races. It doesn’t always attract the best fields when the Kentucky Derby and Preakness have separate winners. However, for a true champion, being a Belmont winner places you in history, and the jockey, trainer and owner are known for generations to come.
Also, with some participants of the Kentucky Derby starting to opt out of the Preakness Stakes in recent years, this race is beginning to see more dynamic competition. So, what can we expect from the 2024 edition?
For starters, we could see a showdown between Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan, against Preakness Stakes winner, Seize the Grey. On Tuesday, May 21st, StG’s trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, confirmed that his horse would be looking for the double. Meanwhile, MD has been shipped to Saratoga, however, no official decision has been made. Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the Belmont Stakes!
Remember that, unlike U.S. sportsbooks, which must adhere to state laws, offshore sites are not bound by such restrictions. Since online horse racing is not regulated in every state, we suggest you check out our guide to the top-rated sportsbooks for the 2024 Belmont Stakes.
Well, even though there won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year, the Belmont Stakes already has a notable list of probable contenders, including the Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan. Other horses, such as the winner of the Preakness Stakes, Seize the Grey, and runner-up in the Derby, Sierra Leone, have already confirmed their participation.
Another key fact for this year (and next) is that the race will take place at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, instead of the traditional Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, which is currently undergoing renovations. This means the race will be shorter, going 1-1/4 miles instead of the traditional 1-1/2 miles.
Key Difference
The different distance seems to be attractive for some trainers. “The fact that it’s a mile and a quarter, I think it makes it more enticing,” said trainer D. Wayne Lukas, shortly after his horse won the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.”
Another important detail could be the higher purse, which will be $2 million as of this year. Finally, remember that Saratoga Race Course has a couple of nicknames, including “The House of Upsets.”
Some notable champions have lost here, including Man o’ War (only loss in 1919), Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox (1930) and the world-famous Secretariat (1973). Most recently, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah lost his second race at this track back in 2015.
Below, we’ll explain some of the intricacies of the final jewel of the Triple Crown and look at the list of probable contenders for June 8, 2024.
Why Should Horse Bettors Always Care About the Belmont Stakes?
The Belmont Stakes will always be a massive race whenever a horse captures the first two races of the Triple Crown. This has happened 36 times and only 13 of those went on to be Triple Crown winners.
However, that is not the only reason to stay with this race, because over several years there is the head-to-head matchup of the Derby and Preakness champions. There have been 11 Derby/Belmont champions and 18 Preakness/Belmont winners. In those encounters, the Belmont winner becomes a top candidate for the Horse of the Year.
The Belmont Losses A Bit of Its Identity the Next Two Years
For long-time horse bettors and lovers of the sport, the Belmont race in early June is “The Test of a Champion.” Compared to the Derby at 10 furlongs and the Preakness at 9.5, the Belmont Stakes is 12 furlongs (1 and ½ miles).
That is a grueling long race to run for a thoroughbred, who has not reached its maturity. It’s a distance that’s normally reserved for older horses at tracks around the country. This is further problematic when a colt has a third race in five weeks.
That is taxing enough, then you add in a component of horses today built more for speed than endurance. The other component is owners may or may not race in the Derby and set their sights on attempting to win one leg of the Triple Crown and try and pick off a likely tired horse, as was the case with Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes.
However, the next two Belmont’s will be different because the track in Elmont has started a two-year renovation project and the entire Belmont festival moves to upstate New York to one the prettiest race tracks in the country, Saratoga Race Course for 2024-25.
Because of track logistics, the Belmont Stakes is being cut back to the Derby distance of 10 furlongs. Some in the industry are outraged and others consider it a minor inconvenience. The truth this only matters if a horse is going after a Triple Crown.
Who’ll Run In the 2024 Belmont Stakes?
Though there won’t be any Triple Crown conjecture this year for the Belmont Stakes, we have the next best thing. For the first time in 11 years, the Belmont Stakes will feature the separate winners of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey, respectively.
In the last four decades, the winners of the first two jewels of the Triple Crown have only met nine times, and only once did the Derby Championship winnner (Swale – 1984) compared to five of the Preakness winners (Afleet Alex – 2005).
Unlike the uncertainty that ruled the previous leg of the Triple Crown, there is already a list of probable contenders with some important names. Such is the case of Sierra Leone, who finished second to Mystik Dan at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. Fierceness, the heavy favorite that disappointed in Lexington, looks headed to New York along with Dornoch and Honor Marie.
However, we could see some new faces such as Antiquarian, the winner of the Peter Pan Stakes and second place of the same race, The Wine Steward.
Below is the complete list of probable starters that we’ll continue to update as the race draws nearer.
2024 Belmont Stakes Field Info
2024 Belmont Stakes
Field Info
| Post | Horse | Rating | Trainer | Last Start | ML Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seize The Grey | 7.87 | D. Wayne Lukas | 1st, 2024 Preakness Stakes G1 | 8-1 |
| 2 | Resilience | 7.46 | William I. Mott | 6th, 2024 Kentucky Derby G1 | 10-1 |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | 7.98 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 2nd, 2024 Preakness Stakes G1 | 5-1 |
| 4 | The Wine Steward | 6.35 | Michael J. Maker | 2nd, 2024 Peter Pan G3 | 15-1 |
| 5 | Antiquarian | 6.45 | Todd A. Pletcher | 1st, 2024 Peter Pan G3 | 12-1 |
| 6 | Dornoch | 7.17 | Danny Gargan | 10th, 2024 Kentucky Derby G1 | 15-1 |
| 7 | Protective | 0.00 | Todd A. Pletcher | 3rd, 2024 Peter Pan G3 | 20-1 |
| 8 | Honor Marie | 6.80 | D. Whitworth Beckman | 8th, 2024 Kentucky Derby G1 | 10-1 |
| 9 | Sierra Leone | 7.90 | Chad C. Brown | 2nd, 2024 Kentucky Derby G1 | 9-5 |
| 10 | Mindframe | 6.87 | Todd A. Pletcher | 1st, CD AlwOC (5/4/24-R3) | 7-2 |
Top Belmont Contenders
The last time the Derby and Preakness winner appeared in the Belmont and neither was favored in the race was in 1994 when Kentucky Derby runner-up, Strodes Creek, was the favorite. That could occur again with Sierra Leone (9-5 odds), the morning line favorite. In five starts, SL has three wins and two seconds and both losses were by a nose to Mystik Dan at Churchill in the Derby and to Dornoch in last December’s Remsen Stakes. He’ll come out of the #9 gate and is known as a strong closer. If he can have a bit more room with the field half the size of the Derby, Sierra Leone can win this race.
The second choice is lightly-raced Mindframe (7-2). He’s made only two starts, winning by 13.5 lengths at Gulfstream in March over seven furlongs. He was on the Derby Day undercard making his first two-turn start and won by 7.5 lengths. His speed numbers suggest he can run with this field and having Todd Pletcher for a trainer and top jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in the irons. The only question is facing this level of competition.
A salute to trainer Ken McPeek for bringing Mystik Dan (5-1) to the Belmont. MD is the first KY Derby winner to start in all three jewels of the Triple Crown without winning the Preakness Stakes since Orb in 2013. Three races in five weeks is not done often in top thoroughbred competition these days. McPeek would not be here with Mystik Dan if he had a tired horse. Since MD will come out the #3 gate, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will look to get to rail to conserve energy for his plucky partner who has the third-best odds in this race.
Will Preakness winner Seize the Grey (8-1) try to duplicate the unexpected performance in Baltimore, grab the early lead, and see if others in the field can chase him down? StG trainer D. Wayne Lukas is a four-time Belmont winner and he’ll have to decide what is the best strategy for his horse with Jaime Torres aboard. Chances are Torres will have more company if he tries to bolt to the lead again and not dictate the pace. Without a lot of early speed in Belmont, Seize the Grey could return to a more stalking regiment, looking to run down the leader. This versatile horse has four wins and a trio of 3rds in 10 starts.
2024 Belmont Stakes Futures Odds
2024 Belmont Stakes
Futures odds
| HORSE | BETONLINE | BOVADA |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Leone | +170 | +175 |
| Mindframe | +330 | +325 |
| Mystik Dan | +725 | +600 |
| Seize The Grey | +900 | +600 |
| Resilience | +1000 | +1000 |
| Antiquarian | +1200 | +1200 |
| Honor Marie | +1300 | +1200 |
| Dornoch | +2500 | +2500 |
| The Wine Steward | +2800 | +2500 |
| Protective | +4000 | +3500 |
Longshots for Belmont
Two horses seem to fit the bill to pull the upset. We start with Resilience (10-1) who was originally not going to be in this race after a six-place finish at the Derby. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott thought this horse was better suited for eight to nine furlongs (shorter distances). With two victories, one 2nd and one 3rd, Resilience, along with jockey Junior Alvarado holding the reins, stands to be a fascinating horse.
Antiquarian (12-1) has been visually impressive in four trips with a pair of ‘W’s and a Place. His pedigree suggests the distance won’t be a problem and the combo of Pletcher and excellent rider John Velazquez makes this a dangerous colt.
For grins, adding The Wine Steward (15-1) who has a quality resume of three wins and three seconds in a half dozen starts. However, the quality of the competition was not close to this group.
Belmont Stakes Fun Facts
- The Belmont Stakes is older than the Kentucky Derby or Preakness.
The Belmont Stakes (1867) is the fourth oldest stakes race in North America, originally the Phoenix Stakes, at Keeneland (1831); the Queen’s Plate in Canada (1860); and the Travers at Saratoga (1864). - The original Belmont Stakes was even longer at a mile and 5/8 and was not reduced to a mile and ½ until 1927.
- From its origin until 1921, the Belmont was run counter-clockwise (like various non-North American race tracks do).
- Though the Belmont will be run at Saratoga for the next two years, it’s worth noting post position #1 has produced the most Belmont Stakes winners while held at Belmont Park, 24 in total.
Belmont's Forever History
This race was named after August Belmont, a financier who was well-known in the New York City area for his wealth and work in politics and society.
Because the Belmont Stakes is the last race of the crowned jewels, most don’t realize this was the first of the big races, first running in 1867, six years before the Preakness and eight years before the Kentucky Derby.
Every horse racing fan who saw the live races of Secretariat in 1973 and five years later with the amazing duel of Affirmed vs. Alydar will never forget them.
World-Famous Secretariat
Secretariat had captured the world’s attention by not only winning the Derby and Preakness but doing so in record times. The Preakness record is still intact, by the way.
At the Belmont, Secretariat jetted to an early lead and never slowed down, winning the race by an improbable 31 lengths. That set the record not only for the race but the world record over 12 furlongs, which stands today.
Five years later, Affirmed had beaten Alydar at Lexington and Baltimore, with Alydar in second both times. At Elmont, NY, these two separated themselves from the pack and were neck and neck to the finish line, with Affirmed securing the Triple Crown in an unforgettable race.
That race was the beginning of a 37-year Triple Crown drought and most figured by this time, we’d never see such a winner again. From 1997 to 2014, nine horses had a chance to win all three races but came up short. Along comes American Pharoah (whose name was accidentally turned in wrong by the Jockey Club) and on that Saturday in June, he ran for the 2nd-fastest time at the Belmont and won by 5 and ½ lengths to end the long drought. He did so just like Secretariat.
Best Belmont Stakes Betting Sites
These are the top five sites for betting on the Belmont Stakes:
- BetOnline – Quick payouts for racebook players
- Bovada – Best sign-up bonus for Belmont Stakes bettors
- BookMaker – Best overall Belmont Stakes betting site
- Heritage Sports – Top Belmont betting site for novice horseplayers
- BetAnySports – 10% profit boost on Belmont Stakes winnings
1. Quick Payouts for Racebook Players: BetOnline
Key Features
- Offers large betting limits on the Belmont Stakes
- Largest racebook rebate on the market
- Same-day cryptocurrency withdrawals
BetOnline is another world-class offshore betting site with a sportsbook, racebook, poker room and casino section. It provides fixed-odds futures on all the Triple Crown races, and you can win up to $100,000 on them.
The racebook rebate is worth up to 9%, and a $25 risk-free bet is available on any horse race after you sign up. BetOnline is quick to pay customers their winnings, offers 24/7 support, and makes betting on horse races very simple.
2. Best Sign-Up Bonus for Belmont Stakes Bettors: Bovada
Key Features
- Excellent sign-up bonus for horseplayers
- Competitive fixed win odds on the Belmont
- Pays out very quickly when you request a withdrawal
Bovada is a famous offshore betting site that provides new customers with a 75% crypto sign-up bonus worth up to $750. It has a 5x playthrough requirement, which is lower than the requirements at rival sites, and it can be used in horse racing. There is also a great loyalty program.
This site also releases early futures on the winner of the Belmont, and you will be paid out fixed odds. Pari-mutuel bets like the win, place, show, exacta and trifecta are available after the post positions are drawn, and you will receive a same-day payout if you win.
3. Earliest Belmont Stakes Betting Odds: BookMaker
Key Features
- Early odds allow players to get in on Belmont betting action before rivals
- Win a net profit of up to $100,000 on the race
- Trustworthy racebook with a perfect security record
Bookmaker.eu is the best all-round site for betting on this famous race. It is swift to release Belmont Stakes odds after the Preakness has concluded, and in terms of quality, the odds tend to be above average on most runners.
You can choose from the full array of straight and exotic bets on race day, and you can expect to be paid up to $100,000 at full track odds. Withdrawals are quick and secure at Bookmaker, which has a reputation for accepting all players, including professional gamblers. It provides a cash rebate of up to 8% on all racebook wagers, win or lose.
4. Top Belmont Stakes Betting Site for Novices: Heritage Sports
Key Features
- User-friendly desktop and mobile racebook
- Excellent customer support for bettors
- Very secure and reliable payouts
Heritage Sports is a user-friendly racebook that works well for any beginners that want to bet on the Belmont Stakes. It is primarily known as a reduced juice sportsbook with a great cashback program, but it also offers a full-service racebook.
The interface is very clean and accessible, making it quick and simple to place bets on this race, and it offers excellent customer service if you get stuck. This mobile betting site is also fast and reliable, so this is a good option for last-minute bets on the Belmont.
5. 10% Profit Boost on Belmont Stakes Winnings: BetAnySports
Key Features
- Will give you a 10% profit boost on the Belmont Stakes
- Alternatively offers a competitive racebook rebate
- Pays out up to $100,000 on Triple Crown races
BetAnySports is an exciting site that provides a range of very generous bonus packages for you to choose from. One is called Racebook+, which earns you a 10% profit boost on the track odds posted at Belmont Park and on any other race you bet on.
That is a great promo, but you can alternatively go for a 6% cash rebate on all racebook wagers – win or lose. There is a reduced juice sports betting package too, so this is a great site for value hunters, and it can be relied upon to deliver prompt payouts.
Belmont Stakes Post Time
Nine horses attempted to run their way to victory on the second weekend in June. Post time for the Belmont Stakes was 6:50 P.M. local time (EST), on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
Track conditions were interesting for 2023, to say the least. Belmont Park is located in Elmont, New York, which is just east of the Big Apple. Wildfires in Canada were blowing potentially dangerous levels of smoke into the area. Racing was canceled on Thursday before the race due to air quality, but the horses were able to run on time. The AQI was registered at a whopping 155 (the ideal range is 0-50) on Thursday, but it was lower on Friday, coming in as low as 57 early in the day.
According to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, an air quality index over 100 requires officials to “monitor the facility daily if the AQI consistently reaches 100 and there is cause for concern in the local environment.” Gov. Kathy Hochul stated before the race that if the AQI exceeded 200 on Saturday, the event would need to be postponed.
The race, thankfully, ran as scheduled. It was televised on FOX Sports, and some online sports betting sites offered streams and replays of the race.
Reading Belmont Stakes Betting Odds
Offshore racebooks are not bound by state or federal regulations, so they can offer fixed-odds futures on the Belmont Stakes race weeks before it gets underway. The odds at these horse racing betting sites will be rendered in the American format, and they will invariably begin with a plus sign unless there is a very heavy favorite.
The numbers after the plus symbol explain the profit you would earn by betting $100. For example, if a horse is priced at +1200, a $100 bet would net you $1,200.
On the day of the race, the track handicapper will release Morning Line odds. They are the handicapper’s best estimate of the pari-mutuel payout each horse will pay, so they are only available on the win and no other horse racing betting options. Bets placed on the day will be settled according to the pari-mutuel dividends on each market, where the tote board will highlight the payout available on each $1, $2 or $0.50 wagered.
Bet Types Available at Belmont Stakes
You can choose from a wide range of straight bets and exotic wagers on Belmont Stakes Day. These are the key online betting options that racebooks release after the post positions are revealed:
- Win: A simple wager on the first horse past the post, which is the most popular of all the horse racing betting options.
- Place: A wager on a horse to finish first or second.
- Show: A wager on a horse to secure a first-place, second-place or third-place finish.
- Exacta: Predict the winning horse and the second-place horse in that exact order.
- Trifecta: A wager on the winner, runner-up and third-place horse, in that order.
- Superfecta: A bet on the first four horses past the post.
- Pick 3: A bet on the horse that finishes first in three consecutive races. These types of bets are also available for up to six races.
How will horses be selected for the Belmont Stakes?
The post position draw date for 2024 has not been announced yet. The 155th Belmont Stakes post position draw took place on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The race was run on the following Saturday, June 10, 2023.
The Belmont Stakes is usually held on either the first or second Saturday in June, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The assignment of starting gates for the race is determined by a chance-based selection a few days before the race.
Numbered tokens are inserted into a machine, similar to a lottery or sweepstakes drawing. Delegates representing each horse randomly draw these tokens to establish the sequence in which the horses can choose their starting positions.
The first horse to draw is given the opportunity to choose their desired starting gate, and this process continues until all participating horses have made their selection.
History of the Belmont Stakes
The inaugural Belmont Stakes took place in 1867, when August Belmont Sr., a financier and avid sportsman, instituted the race as a gathering point for New York’s elite society. In its earliest years, the Belmont Stakes was a fairly small-scale event, with a mere handful of horses competing. However, as time passed, the race grew in prominence, attracting larger audiences and higher prize money. By the early 20th century, the Belmont Stakes had become one of the premier sports events in America, pulling in thousands of spectators from around the globe.
Over the years, the race has developed a number of traditions, like its iconic white carnations, Belmont Jewel cocktails and the playing of “New York, New York” before the start of each race.
Since the first running in the 19th century, spectators have gambled on horse finishes. In the early years, betting was primarily informal, with spectators wagering among themselves. By 1910, the realization dawned that a more structured system was required, leading to the introduction of the pari-mutuel betting system by the New York State Racing Commission.
Since then, betting on the Belmont Stakes has only grown in popularity, with millions of dollars staked each year. From the traditional win, place and show bets, to more complex bet types like the exacta and trifecta, there’s a wide array of wagering options available to horseplayers.
Nowadays, comparing horse betting odds across multiple online racebooks is a simple process; modern horse racing betting sites offer extensive tools for handicapping races and provide attractive bonuses to retain their users.
The Belmont Stakes shines as the final jewel in the Triple Crown and it will be interesting to see how the betting world changes as these incredible races continue to be run each year.
FAQs – Belmont Stakes Betting
Was the 2023 Belmont Stakes canceled?
Races were canceled on the first day of the Belmont Stakes Festival due to air quality issues caused by the Canadian wildfires of 2023. The festival resumed the following day and the big race was not canceled.
Who is favored to win the Belmont?
The field for 2024 is yet to be determined so there are no favorites, yet. However, Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey could draw the attention of oddsmakers.
In 2023, the race had a lineup of superstar horses, Forte was the 5-2 favorite. Arcangelo (7-1) was able to hold him off and ran straight into Belmont history as the first female-trained horse to win. Forte, ultimately, came in second place.
Who are the contenders for the Belmont?
For 2024, the field is yet to be determined but probable contenders are Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey.
Forte was touted as the one to watch in 2023, but Kentucky Derby alumni like Hit Show and Angel of Empire and the latest Preakness graduate, National Treasure, were all part of the racing action in 2023.
Has a female horse ever won the Belmont?
Three fillies in horse racing history have won the Belmont Stakes. Most recently, Rags to Riches won in 2007. She was the first filly in over a century to win after Ruthless in 1905.
Who was the last horse to win the Triple Crown?
The last horse to secure a Triple Crown win was a horse named Justify in 2018. Only two horses have achieved this feat since 1979.
How many horses were in the Belmont Stakes 2023?
Nine horses participated in the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes; Belmont Park’s track has an upper limit of 12 runners per race.
