by Ben Perks
Vegas oddsmakers have made We The People the new favorite to win the 154th edition of the Belmont Stakes (G1) this Saturday.
Although no horse can secure the triple, the final leg of the Triple Crown promises to be a thrilling watch. Bookmakers have Mo Donegal as the close second favorite to win the Kentucky Derby but have the oddsmakers got this wrong way round?
View the latest odds, poll positions, and analyses of top contenders to find where the betting value is for the 2022 Belmont Stakes.
2022 Belmont Stakes Winner Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| We The People | +225 |
| Mo Donegal | +250 |
| Rich Strike | +400 |
| Creative Minister | +650 |
| Nest | +800 |
| Barber Road | +1200 |
| Skippylongstocking | +2200 |
| Golden Glider | +2500 |
2022 Belmont Stakes – Key Info
- When: Saturday, June 11, coverage begins at5 p.m. ET
- How to watch: NBC and Peacock will broadcast the race live
- BetOnline has We The People as the favorite
- Belmont Race Track is the longest of the three Triple Crown contests (1 & 1/2 miles, 12 furlongs)
- 12 thoroughbreds compete in the race.
- The fastest Belmont Stakes winner was Secretariat (2 minutes and 24 seconds) in 1973
Belmont Stakes Poll Positions
| Post position | Horse |
|---|---|
| 1 | We the People |
| 2 | Skippylongstocking |
| 3 | Nest |
| 4 | Rich Strike |
| 5 | Creative Minister |
| 6 | Mo Donegal |
| 7 | Golden Glider |
| 8 | Barber Road |
Skipping the Preakness Stakes
After the Kentucky Derby, many trainers decided against their horses competing in the Preakness Stakes, as it’s a competition that favors speedy competitors. Rich Strike, Barber Road, and Belmont Stakes favorite Mo Donegal didn’t enter the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Because they are all well rested, many horse bettors will favor these entrants.
Belmont Stakes: Top Contenders
Mo Donegal +250 (5/2) – Our Top Pick
After closing late in the Kentucky Derby, Mo Donegal should be one of the strongest closers in the field.
The horse’s performance in the first leg of the Triple Crown showed that he likes to stalk behind a fast pace, has a stretch close that lasts for a considerable distance (half a mile at least), and has
enough heart to win the Belmont Stakes.
Mo Donegal won the Wood Memorial by closing strongly to beat Early Voting. And although he only finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
The horse bobbled (a wrong step out the starting gate) in the Derby will know how unlucky the horse was.
After this start, the thoroughbred had to go wide in the 5 and 6 lanes at the top of the stretch, resulting in a bumping match with Barber Road. But despite this setback, he closed all the way to the wire.
Therefore, the extra quarter of a mile at Belmont Park should favor him.
We The People +225 (9/4)
Despite stepping up to stakes company on his third start in the Arkansas Derby, We The People was far behind another Belmont entry, Barber Road, who finished third on that occasion. He took an allowance contest at Belmont last time by nearly ten lengths. But as he’s running a much longer race on Saturday, Vegas oddsmakers could have got this one wrong.
Rich Strike +400 (4/1)
After pulling off one of the biggest odds upsets of the year at the Kentucky Derby, you can’t rule out Rich Strike from finishing first.
Also, it’s worth noting that he has already beaten Mo Donegal and Barber Road. Yet, as these two horses got into a barging match around the far turn in the Derby, don’t look too much into this.
Although winning seems a stretch, he looks like a decent option to include in your exotic bets.
Creative Minister +650 (13/2)
Creative Minister is the most improved competitor on the field and has put on some solid performances en route to the Belmont Stakes. Therefore, expect him to run a big race. However, as he competed in the Preakness, he could struggle in this “Test of the Champion” race.
Still, considering his recent track record and +650 odds, he represents decent betting value.
Nest +800 (8/1)
Although the last filly to win the Belmont Stakes was Rags to Riches in 2007, Nest has the pedigree needed to go all the way this weekend.
However, despite Nest being a Kentucky Oaks runner-up and Ashland Stakes winner, her usual jockey Irad Ortiz will be on the back of Mo Donegal for the Belmont Stakes. Therefore, her trainers seem to think she’ll struggle to place on Saturday.
Longshot to Win the 2022 Belmont Stakes
Barber Road +1200 (12/1)
As Barber road was a game runner-up in the Arkansas Derby, finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby, and has hitting the board in stakes contests, Vegas oddsmakers may have underestimated his chances.
The long Belmont Park track could favor this slow starter, so consider including him in your exotics.
Want to learn more about betting on horse races? Check out this comprehensive horse betting guide to discover your wagering options and what to consider before placing bets.
Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.
