belmont stakes betting odds

2024 will see the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes. First staged in 1867, the Belmont Stakes was not run in 1911 & 1912 (canceled due to anti-gambling legislation). It is, of course, the third leg of the Triple Crown coming two weeks after the Preakness Stakes which is traditionally staged just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

Belmont Stakes Moves To Saratoga Race Course

New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Belmont Stakes, traditionally held at Belmont Park, will temporarily shift to Saratoga Race Course due to extensive renovations at Belmont Park. This marks the first time Saratoga will host the event, and the venue could continue to do so in 2025 if the Belmont Park’s $455 million revamp extends.

The race’s length at Saratoga may be reduced from its usual 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/4 miles, subject to approval from the North American Graded Stakes Committee. Known for its endurance challenge, the Belmont Stakes has maintained its traditional length since 1926, except for a brief alteration in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed change contrasts with the lengths of other Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby at 1 1/4 miles and the Preakness at 1 3/16 miles.

Plans are also underway to increase the Belmont’s prize money from $1.5 million to $2 million and expand the event into a four-day festival featuring 23 stakes races.

Triple Crown Winners

Only 13 horses have completed the Triple Crown since 1919.

Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharoah (2015), and Justify (2018).

By decade:

  • 1910’s – 1
  • 1920’s – 0
  • 1930’s – 3
  • 1940’s – 4
  • 1950’s – 0
  • 1960’s – 0
  • 1970’s – 3
  • 1980’s – 0
  • 1990’s – 0
  • 2000’s – 0
  • 2010’s – 2

Belmont Stakes Race Facts

  • Since 1944 19 horses have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but failed in the final leg, the Belmont.
  • 13 of those 19 failed attempts did result in the horse in question still finishing second or third.
  • In the past 28 years, the Triple Crown has been foiled on the final leg nine times. Those defeated includes War Emblem (2002), Funny Cide (2003), Smarty Jones (2004), Big Brown (2008), California Chrome (2014).
  • In 2012 I’ll Have Another won the Derby and Preakness but did not contest the Belmont.
  • 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat won this race by 31-lengths in record time (2min 24sec). 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed scored by a head.
  • Trainer Woodford ‘Woody’ Stephens trained the winner of five consecutive Belmont Stakes starting with Conquistador Cielo in 1982.
  • The largest attendance was in 2004 when 120,139 watched Smarty Jones fail in his Triple Crown bid.
  • Only two of the last 10 favourites have won this race.
  • Of the last 34 runnings of this race the favourite has prevailed only eight times.
  • Since 1979 (Spectacular Bird, beaten at 1/5) there have been eight odds-on favourites in this race. Only Justify, in 2018, won.

Belmont Stakes Draw Stats

The draw plays a vital role. Below is a list of the gates the Belmont winners have come from (Gate / No. of wins)

  • Gate 1- 24
  • Gate 2- 12
  • Gate 3- 15
  • Gate 4- 10
  • Gate 5- 15
  • Gate 6- 7
  • Gate 7- 14
  • Gate 8- 1
  • Gate 9- 4
  • Gate 10- 2
  • Gate 11- 2
  • Gate 12- 1
  • Gate 13- 1

* Belmont Stake odds correct at the time of publication. All betting odds are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of the Belmont Stakes?

The race was initially staged at Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx (built in 1866); it was financed by August Belmont Snr (and named after him). Between 1890 and 1904 the race was staged at nearby Morris Park racecourse; it was then transferred to Belmont Park, which started life as a right-handed course, in May 1905. It went left-handed in 1921.

The race has been staged over distances ranging from 1m1f to 1m 5f but has been constant at 1m 4f since 1926.

Who are the previous winners of Belmont Stakes?

  • 2022: Mo Donegal
  • 2021: Essential Quality
  • 2020 - Tiz the Law
  • 2019 - Sir Winston
  • 2018 - Justify
  • 2017 - Tapwrit
  • 2016 - Creator
  • 2015 - American Pharoah
  • 2014 - Tonalist
  • 2013 - Palace Malice
  • 2012 - Union Rags
  • 2011 - Ruler on Ice
  • 2010 - Drosselmeyer

†  Triple crown winner

Justify's win in 2018 was particularly notable as he secured the Triple Crown, a prestigious achievement in thoroughbred racing.