The Belmont Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses. It takes place over 1.5 miles (12 furlongs), with a dirt track surface that has wide, sweeping turns. Belmont Park also has a long homestretch, meaning the race for the line can be an exciting test of skill and timing for the jockeys and power and stamina for the horses. To enter the Belmont Stakes, horses must be a thoroughbred that is three years old.
It is usually the third and final race in the American Triple Crown. In a regular year to win this prestigious title, horses must win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in addition to the Belmont Stakes. In 2020, The Belmont will be the first race run in the Triple Crown series due to rescheduling caused by Covid-19, it now takes place on June 20.
Like the other two races, the Belmont Stakes has several nicknames, including “The Test of the Champion” and “The Run for the White Carnations”. The latter name coming the blanket of white carnations that is draped over the winning horse.
There have been 13 Triple Crown winners in the history of American horse racing. However, 23 more horses could have also won the title but failed to win the Belmont Stakes, having already won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
Having started in 1867, the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three races in the Triple Crown. However, it did not run during a brief hiatus in 1911 and 1912, meaning the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously run stakes race in the United States.
The Belmont Stakes is held every year on either the first or second Saturday in June, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five after the Kentucky Derby. It is held at Belmont Park in New York, which is often known as “The Championship Track” since almost every successful American race horse has competed there.
The date for the 2021 edition of the Belmont Stakes is June 5.
Choosing a winner from the Belmont entries requires detailed analysis of the past form of each horse, taking factors like track and weather conditions into account. Of course, you can do all of this yourself. Alternatively, you can let our team of horse racing experts find you the best Belmont Stakes odds and picks.
Our experts are passionate about horse racing. They know a jolly from a juvenile, a draw from a dam, and a colt from a carpet. They do all of the leg work, so you can get the most from your bets. Check back nearer raceday for expert analysis on the race from Matt Bernier and Andrew Champagne.
Horse race betting is a classic American tradition, and has a history as old as equestrian sports itself. For most of its history, horse racing has used a betting system that’s known as pari mutuel. It was always possible to place bets at the track or in betting shops. However, you can now also bet on the Belmont Stakes online through RacingPicks.
Pari mutuel betting uses some slightly different terminology than is used by other sports. There’s no need to worry though, RacingPicks makes it easy for you to bet on the Belmont Stakes. Our horse racing experts find bring you the best Belmont picks, as well as comparing the odds from trusted bookmakers to be sure we help you get best value from your Belmont bets.
These expert picks will be updated as the Belmont Stakes gets closer, so be sure to check back to stay abreast with the latest developments.
The 2020 Belmont Stakes was won by Tiz The Law. Dr Post and Max Player followed him home in 2nd and 3rd. The top five in the 2020 Belmont Stakes results were:
2019 Belmont Stakes Results | ||||
Position | Horse | Jockey | Margin | |
1 | Tiz The Law | Manuel Franco | - | |
2 | Dr Post | Irad Ortiz | 3 3/4 length | |
3 | Max Player/td> | Joel Rosario | 5 1/4 lengths | |
4 | Pneumatic | Ricardo Santana | 7 3/4 lengths | |
5 | Tap It To Win | John Velasquez | 14 lengths |
With the first Belmont Stakes taking place in 1867, around 150 horses have won this historic race. Some of the most recent winners are:
Previous Belmont Stakes Winners | ||||
Year | Winning Horse | Winning Jockey | Time | |
2019 | Sir Winston | Joel Rosario | 2:28.30 | |
2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | 2:28.18 | |
2017 | Tapwrit | Jose Ortiz | 2:30.02 | |
2016 | Creator | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 2:28.51 | |
2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | 2:26.65 | |
2014 | Tonalist | Joel Rosario | 2:28.52 |
The Belmont Stakes usually takes place three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, on the first or second Saturday in June. In 2021, it will take place on June 5.
You can bet on the Belmont Stakes online. RacingPicks finds you the best Belmont Stakes odds to help you place bets on the race with ease. TVG, Twinspires and BetAmerica remain three of the best options for easy online wagering.
Expert picks from RacingPicks brings you the best picks and predictions for the Belmont Stakes to help you in choosing which horse to back. Matt Bernier and Andrew Champagne provide expert insight on a daily basis.
Yes, the Belmont Stakes is one of the three Grade I stakes races that make up the Triple Crown. The other two are the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, both of these races usually take place before the Belmont Stakes.
Like the other two races in the Triple Crown, the winning horse of the Belmont Stakes gets a blanket of flowers draped over it after the race. For the Belmont Stakes, this blanket is made of white carnations.