The 156th running of the Belmont Stakes will be at a different location. Due to renovations at Belmont Park, the Belmont Stakes will take place at Saratoga Race Course for the next two years.

Even though there is no chance for a Triple Crown winner, there are many talented horses in the field that should make the 2024 Belmont Stakes an entertaining race. There are many different horse racing bet types, so whether you have bet on horse racing before or want to learn more, be sure to check out our updated guide. I will look at multiple ways you can bet on the Belmont Stakes and give you my best bets and predictions under the table. The table details the odds and post position for all ten horses in the 2024 field.

2024 Belmont Stakes Odds

Odds as of June 7th, 2024 at TwinSpires.

The Belmont Stakes odds list Sierra Leone as the 9-5 favorite to win in 2024. Sierra Leone placed at the Kentucky Derby and did not run at the Preakness Stakes. A $20 wager on Sierra Leone to win would win $36 and result in a payout of $56. Mindframe has the second-best odds at 7-2, and even though the horse is inexperienced, he has a lot of talent. Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up, Mystik Dan, is not far behind the other two.

Best Belmont Stakes Bets

Sierra Leone should be a popular ticket to win the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. He has gotten first or second in all five of his starts. He won three of those five and finished in second place in the other two starts, including his last race at the Kentucky Derby. Even among the other favorites, Sierra Leone sticks out.

The horse is experienced unlike Mindframe, who only has two starts under his belt, and is well-rested unlike Mystik Dan, who is the first horse since 2019 to run in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in its traditional five-week time frame. So while Mystik Dan has run well in the two other races, fatigue is something to consider.

It is not always fun to bet on the favorite, but Sierra Leone is that good and has everything you look for in a winning horse. Sierra Leone had the second-best odds to win the Kentucky Derby and ended up coming in second. The winners at the Belmont Stakes recently have all had shorter odds to win. Since 2020, the four winners have all been in the top three in odds on the morning line. It is hard to bet against a horse with that kind of pedigree and history.

Best Belmont Stakes Bet: Sierra Leone to win (9-5)

2024 Belmont Stakes Longshot Picks

While Sierra Leone is the favorite and most likely horse to win, it would not be horse racing if you do not look at the longshots. Even if longshots have not done particularly well at the Belmont Stakes of late, there is a horse that is worth a sprinkle due to the potential payout.

Out of the No. 5 post position, Antiquarian is making his Triple Crown race debut. Antiquarian is fresh off a first-place finish at the Peter Pan Stakes and comes into the 2024 Belmont Stakes with 12-1 odds. The winner of that race has won the Belmont Stakes four times including last year’s winner, Arcangelo.

In four starts, Antiquarian finished in second place, first place, sixth place, and first place. It was great to see the horse bounce back and win after a rough finish at the Louisiana Derby. His trainer, Todd Pletcher has already won the Belmont Stakes four times, so he will be looking for win number five on Saturday. At 12-1 odds, Antiquarian is a horse that has a shot at being in the mix at the end of the race, so he is worth a longshot bet.

Best Belmont Stakes Longshot Pick: Antiquarian (12-1)

Best Belmont Stakes Exotic Bets

One of the most popular types of wagers in horse racing are exotic bets such as exactas, trifectas, and superfectas. These bets require you to pick the finishing order of the race correctly. These types of wagers give bettors the opportunity for large payouts, which is why they are appealing. In straight exotic bets, you need to correctly pick which horse finishes first, second, third, etc, which is a tall task. That is why many bettors opt for exotic boxes where you pick which horses will finish at the top, but the order does not matter.

Sierra Leone will be making my trifecta box for the 2024 Belmont Stakes. Just one more point in Sierra Leone’s favor is that his trainer, Chad Brown, is a Saratoga native and knows this track very well. Antiquarian should also be in the running at the end, so I like for him to finish in the top three. Then for the third horse, I will pick one who is coming off back to back wins: Seize the Grey.

Seize the Grey was my favorite longshot pick to win the Preakness Stakes, and that is exactly what he did. The horse is trained by Hall of Famer, D Wayne Lukas and won the 2024 Pat Day Mile before winning the Preakness. Seize the Grey is also running from the #1 post position which has the most wins in Belmont Stakes history. At 8-1 odds, he is not a bad horse to bet on, but instead of betting him to strictly to win, I will throw him in my trifecta box.

Best Belmont Stakes Exotic Pick: 9-5-1 Trifecta Box

The post Belmont Stakes Predictions, Best Bets, Exotics & Best Longshots appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 149th running of the Preakness Stakes is set to take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The second leg of the Triple Crown will feature an exciting showdown between some of the top three-year-old thoroughbreds in the nation.

The race is scheduled to start at 7:01 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC, with coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.

There’s been a shake-up in the morning line favorites, as Muth, initially the top pick at 8-5 (+160) odds, was scratched due to a fever.

This means Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is now the favorite at 5-2 (+250) odds. Keep an eye on other strong contenders like Imagination (+500), Catching Freedom (+600), and Tuscan Gold (+800).

Best Bet to Win the Preakness Stakes

When it comes to picking the Preakness Stakes winner, Tuscan Gold stands out as the best bet. Trained by Chad Brown, who has already won the Preakness twice with slightly late-blooming horses, Tuscan Gold fits a similar profile.

Tuscan Gold putting in work for #Preakness149. pic.twitter.com/FO2vC2bHlk

— Preakness Stakes (@PreaknessStakes) May 15, 2024

He finished third in his stakes debut at the Louisiana Derby, showing promise for improvement. With the advantage of racing fresh compared to his rivals who competed in the grueling Kentucky Derby just two weeks ago, Tuscan Gold could take a step forward and have a strong say in the outcome.

At 8-1 odds, he offers excellent value for bettors looking to back the potential Preakness Stakes winner. Tuscan Gold’s connections and racing style make him an appealing choice for those seeking a solid win bet. A simple $10 wager would return $80 in profit if successful.

Best Preakness Stakes Win Bet: Tuscan Gold (+800)

Preakness Stakes Place Bet Prediction

For a reliable place bet in the Preakness Stakes, look no further than Imagination. This Bob Baffert-trained colt has been incredibly consistent, finishing in the exacta in all six of his career starts,

He has earned two victories and secured four second-place finishes, demonstrating his consistent ability to perform at a high level. Although Baffert’s other entry, Muth, was scratched, Imagination still has the talent and the trainer’s expertise behind him to secure a top-two finish in the Preakness Stakes.

At 6-1 (600) odds, Imagination is a smart place bet for those looking to capitalize on his reliability. With his ability to consistently finish in the top two, Imagination offers a level of security for bettors who want to minimize risk while still having a strong chance at a solid return.

Best Preakness Stakes Place Bet: Imagination

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Preakness Stakes Show Bet Prediction

Don’t count out Just Steel for a show bet in the Preakness Stakes odds, despite his 17th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Just Steel set a blistering pace in the Derby before tiring in the stretch.

However, the shorter distance of the Preakness and a more patient ride from jockey Joel Rosario could make a world of difference.

#Preakness entrant Just Steel coming to the track pic.twitter.com/BK64IKRvu9

— Nicole Russo (@DRFRusso) May 17, 2024

Just Steel has already proven his ability to compete at a high level, having beaten Mystik Dan convincingly in the Arkansas Derby two starts back. At generous odds of 15-1 (1500), Just Steel has the potential to outrun his price and sneak into the top three, making him an attractive show bet in the Preakness Stakes.

His previous success against Mystik Dan and the potential for a more strategically paced ride suggests that he could surprise many and secure a top-three finish. Steel is being undervalued at +1500 and has a substantial payout on a show bet, making him a horse to watch closely in the Preakness Stakes odds.

Best Preakness Stakes Show Bet: Just Steel

Odds to Win Preakness Stakes 2024

*Note: Muth was scratched from the race.

Odds as of May 17 at Twin Spires. 

With Muth out of the picture, the Preakness Stakes odds have shifted, putting Mystik Dan in the favorite spot at 5-2 (+250). The Kentucky Derby winner is aiming to become the 14th Triple Crown winner and the first since Justify in 2018.

However, recent history hasn’t been kind to Preakness favorites, with Justify being the last one to win in 2018.

Other top contenders to watch include Imagination (+600), Catching Freedom (+600), and Tuscan Gold (+800). These horses are ready to give Mystik Dan a run for his money and potentially upset the favorite in what’s shaping up to be a thrilling Preakness Stakes.

The post Best Bets for Preakness Stakes: Picks for Win, Place & Show appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 149^th running of the Preakness Stakes is set for Saturday, May 18^th. Pimlico Race Course annually hosts the second leg of the Triple Crown. All eyes will be on the winner of the Run for the Roses, Mystik Dan, to see if the colt can repeat his efforts from just two weeks ago. I’ll be going over some great options for Preakness exotic bets, such as exactas and trifectas.

Last year, National Treasure won the second jewel of the Triple Crown. The $1 exacta paid $15.90, while the $.50 trifecta paid $12.10. The winnings are less than what it usually awarded in the Kentucky Derby, but it’s a lot easier to hit a ticket with less horses in the field.

We look at several factors when handicapping the Preakness Stakes. Learn how to read a horse racing program to understand the past performances of each horse. You can also find trainers, jockeys and how the horse has performed on different surfaces.

Field for the 149^th Preakness Stakes

The morning-line favorite has already scratched, so Mystik Dan is now the favorite to win the Woodlawn Vase. A painter will climb to the top of the Old Clubhouse cupola following the race to apply the silks of one of these horses to the weather vane. Below is the entire field for the Preakness Stakes, including the trainer and jockey.

1. Mugatu, Jeff Engler, Joe Bravo, 20-1
2. Uncle Heavy, Butch Reid Jr., Irad Ortiz Jr., 20-1
3. Catching Freedom, Brad Cox, Flavien Prat, 6-1
4. Muth, Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, SCRATCHED
5. Mystik Dan, Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr., 5-2
6. Seize the Grey, D. Wayne Lukas, Jaime Torres, 15-1
7. Just Steel, D. Wayne Lukas, Joel Rosario, 15-1
8. Tuscan Gold, Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione, 8-1
9. Imagination, Bob Baffert, Frankie Dettori, 6-1

Check in with our Preakness Stakes odds tracker to get the latest lines!

Best Preakness Stakes Exotic Bets

There isn’t much money to be made by making a straight wager. While most will be placing a bet on a single horse to win the race, I’ll be trying to hit an exotic or two in the Preakness. There are only eight horses in the field, so the odds are better for selecting the top finishers.

Mystik Dan has three wins in his four starts, but none were as fruitful as the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. He had a perfect run around the 1 ¼ miles at Churchill Downs. The race on Saturday will be 1 3/16 miles around the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course. Get in your wagers before the horses reach the gate at 6:50 pm ET.

Preakness Stakes Exacta Picks

Catching Freedom wasn’t far behind Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby. Cox’s horse was just 1 ¼ lengths behind the cluster of three horses, finishing 4^th. He is a closer that has always been in the top 4 in all of his six starts.

Gaffalione failed to win two weeks ago abord Sierra Leone, but he has a great chance in the Preakness with Tuscan Gold. The colt has one win in just three starts. Note that Brown has trained two previous horses that won the Preakness Stakes without running in the Kentucky Derby.

Baffert pulled Muth from the race after running a fever, but he still has a great chance with Imagination. He is coming off of a 2^nd place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, winning two races in his six career starts. Expect Imagination to be near the front early.

• $5 Exacta: Mystik Dan, Imagination
• $5 Exacta: Imagination, Tuscan Gold
• $5 Exacta Box: Mystik Dan, Tuscan Gold

Preakness Stakes Trifecta & Superfecta Picks

The other horse I could see making a run into the top bunch would be Seize the Grey. Lukas is a legendary trainer with numerous wins in this race, but competition will be much stronger than what he saw in the Pat Day Mile last time out.

• $2 Trifecta: Mystik Dan, Imagination, Tuscan Gold
• $2 Trifecta: Imagination, Tuscan Gold, Mystik Dan
• $1 Superfecta Box: Mystik Dan, Imagination, Tuscan Gold, Sieze the Grey

Mugatu is getting another shot in a stakes race after not being able to earn an entry into the Kentucky Derby. He was just a scratch way from entering the field, but he remained in the barn for the Run for the Roses. The colt has yet to hit the board in a stakes race. Uncle Heavy and Just Steel are two other contenders that should be longshots. It wouldn’t be a terrible idea to add one of these horses into a supefecta or trifecta box just in case they hit and increase the payouts.

There are several great horse betting apps that make it easy for handicappers to place the following wagers, such as FanDuel Racing and TwinSpires. Sign up through the links on this page to start with the best welcome bonuses.

If Mystik Dan can pull of the win in the Preakness Stakes, all eyes will turn to the Belmont Stakes in New York. The final leg of the Triple Crown will be on Saturday, June 8^th. “The Test of the Champion” has been moved to Saratoga Race Course in 2024 because of the construction occurring at Belmont Park.

The post Preakness Exotic Bets: Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta Picks 2024 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 149th running of the Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday, May 18, at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, MD. The second leg of the 2024 Triple Crown will see Kentucky Derby-winner Mystik Dan enter as a 5/2 (+250) favorite after opening favorite Muth was scratched earlier in the week.

The table below lists the latest Preakness Stakes odds for all eight horses remaining in the field along with post positions and their finishing position in the Kentucky Derby, if applicable. Under the table, find my best bets and picks for the 2024 Preakness.

2024 Preakness Stakes Odds

Mystik Dan is a sizable favorite over the rest of the field. At +250, Mystik Dan has a 28.57% implied win probability. The second-favorites – Catching Freedom and Imagination – are at +600, which carries a 14.29%, i.e. half that of Mystik Dan.

Odds as of May 17 at Twin Spires. 

Next comes Tuscan Gold at +800 (11.11%) with the other four horses at either +1500 (6.25%) or +2000 (4.76%).

The early favorite to win the Preakness was Bob Baffert’s Muth at 8/5 (+160), which had a 38.46% implied win probability. But Muth was scratched due to running a temperature of 103 degrees on Tuesday. Mystik Dan had been listed at +300 in the opening lines and saw his price shorten to +250 after the former favorite was scratched.

Only One Horse Has Won the Derby and Preakness Since 2015

While the odds favor Mystik Dan, recent history is not in favor of the Derby-winner. Only once since 2015 has the Kentucky Derby champion gone onto win the Preakness, and that was Triple Crown-winner Justify in 2018.  In the history of the Triple Crown, however, 36 horses have won the Derby and Preakness (with 13 going onto win the Triple Crown and 23 falling short at the Belmont), which includes 11 such horses since 1997.

Only three of the horses running in the Preakness also racred the Kentucky Derby. Co-second-favorite Catching Freedom finished fourth at the Derby,  just 1.75 lengths behind Mystik Dan. Just Steel, who has +1500 odds to win the Preakness out of post position #7, was an also-ran in the Derby, finishing a distant 17th.

Mystik Dan was a fairly big +2000 longshot entering the Derby, a co-seventh-favorite. Jockey Brian Hernandez ran a near-perfect race while taking the Derby by a nose over Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Running out of the #3 post position, Hernandez had Mystik Dan on the inside rail from the opening corner and his positioning around the final bend give him a lead that he wouldn’t relinquish (though would have if the race had been a few feet further).

Preakness Stakes Pick & Predictions 2024

The weather for the Preakness forecasts to be considerably wetter/muddier than the Derby. Churchill Downs got rain early on race day two weeks ago, but the track was fairly dry by post time (and was rated “fast”). Pimlico is likely to be an off-track this Saturday.

That could actually be good news for Brian Hernandez and Mystik Dan, though. Mystik Dan has previous wins in muddy conditions, and there isn’t a positive off-track history for many others in the race. Uncle Heavy (+2000) is the only other horse with a serious off-track resume.

Many believe Mystik Dan’s main competition will be Bob Baffert’s other horse, Imagination. In six career races, Imagination has won twice and never finished worse than second. three times finishing less than a full length behind the winner.

As much as I want to back Mystik Dan and see a potential Triple Crown-winner at the Belmont, the odds are just too short. Imagination offers far better value at +600.

2024 Preakness best bet: Imagination (+600)

The post Odds for 2024 Preakness & Expert Picks, Predictions appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

If you’re planning to bet the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4, be sure you take advantage of the KY Derby promos that are available. There are two great horse racing betting apps that are offering top notch bonuses for both new and existing customers. Depending on the state you reside in, you can get up to a $500 no sweat first bet through FanDuel Racing and/or upwards of $410 in bonuses at TwinSpires. Read more about these bonuses and claim either/both below.

Kentucky Derby Betting Promos

Both FanDuel Racing and TwinSpires are offering can’t miss betting promos for the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires’ offer is a little more straightforward, while the max value of FanDuel Racing’s promo depends on where you live. Check out the table below to see what you qualify for:

If you click on the FanDuel Racing promos for Massachusetts, Ohio, or any of the legal sportsbook states (final row of the table), you will be directed towards a sportsbook signup page. This is to ensure you get the most for signup up with FanDuel. You will first claim the sportsbook promo, which is a bet $5 and get $150 or $300 (depending on your state), and then head over to the racebook to opt in to the $20 no sweat first bet for the Kentucky Derby.

You can read a little more about each of TwinSpires and FanDuel Racing’s Kentucky Derby promos below.

TwinSpires Promo Code “SBD” Gets Up to $410 Signup Bonus

If you’re new to TwinSpires, you can claim up to $410 in bonuses for using promo code SBD when signing up ahead of the Kentucky Derby. The full value is broken down into two different bonuses: (1) a $400 signup bonus and (2) a $10 money back offer. The former is only available to new users, since it is a signup bonus, and requires the code SBD, while the latter is available to all players and does not require any code.

The $400 signup bonus comes with some important terms and conditions to know:

• The bonus will be credited to your account in increments of $100
• Each $100 increment will be released after $400 is wagered

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This means the bonus can be worth either $100, $200, $300, or $400 depending on how much you wish to wager. In order to claim the full $400 bonus, you would have to wager $1,600. The good news is you have 30 days from creating your account to claim the full bonus, meaning you could bet $400 on Derby Day and have $100 in bonus cash released, then bet another $400 prior to your 30-day window closing (maybe on the Preakness Stakes on May 18) and receive another $100 in bonus cash.

Here’s what you’ll need when signing up for a new account at TwinSpires:

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The $10 money back offer is much simpler. All you need to do is opt in and you will receive up to $10 back on your first single horse “to win” bet as long as your horse runs 2nd or 3rd in the race. Again, this offer can be claimed by all users. So, if you find it a little too difficult to satisfy the requirements for the $400 signup bonus, you can always just fall back on TwinSpires’ money back offer.

FanDuel Racing Promo Offers a $500 No Sweat First Bet

FanDuel Racing is offering new players a great . This means you can wager up to $500 on your first bet, and if it loses, you will win your full wager back (up to $500) in bonus credits. FanDuel Racing’s promo is available right now and through to the start of the Kentucky Derby on May 4th.

In order to claim the $500 no sweat first bet, you must

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Your refund will be issued in non-withdrawable Racing site credit, in the amount that you wagered (up to $500), that will expire seven days after receipt. So, be sure to use it within those seven days. (Sadly, the Preakness Stakes is two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.)

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FanDuel is offering all customers in AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, and WY a bonus for the Kentucky Derby as well. If you reside in one of the previously mentioned states and are already using FanDuel Racing or FanDuel Sportsbook, you can claim a $20 no sweat first bet for the Kentucky Derby. It’s far from $500, but it’s still something!

However, if you reside in one of those states and are not an existing customer, you can claim their sportsbook signup offer and then also get the $20 no sweat first bet for the Kentucky Derby. Just be sure to meet the requirements of their sportsbook offer first (bet $5 on any sporting event, which does not include horse racing), then go to the racebook and opt-in to the $20 no sweat first bet.

If you find yourself in the great state of Ohio, you can bet $5 to get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins and then claim the $20 no sweat first bet for the Derby. If you’re in Massachusetts, you get the same offer – bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins on top of the $20 no sweat.

Finally, if you’re in one of the other 12 states from above, then you can bet $5 to get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins and then get the $20 no sweat for the KY Derby. .

The post Kentucky Derby Betting Promos for 2024: Get Up to $910 to Use on the Derby appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

America’s most popular race, the Kentucky Derby, takes place this Saturday.  The main event, featuring 20 horses, will start at roughly 6:57 pm ET at Churchill Downs.

There are many different types of bets you can place on the Kentucky Derby. If you are betting on horse racing for the first time or just want a refresher, be sure to check out our horse racing guides to learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Some of the most popular wagers are betting on a horse to win, place, or show.

Placing a win bet is simple, and it is exactly what it sounds like. Pick the horse you think will win the Kentucky Derby, and your ticket will cash if that horse wins the race. Place and show bets allow for a little more flexibility. Place bets allow the horse you choose to finish in first place or second, then show bets pay out if your horse finishes in the top three. Show bets are more likely to win so the odds are not as lucrative as win or place bets.

Best Bet to Win the Kentucky Derby

When picking a Kentucky Derby winner, there are a lot of different variables that bettors can look at. Past race results, post position, and pedigree are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to handicapping horse racing.

Fierceness and Sierra Leone have the two best odds to win the Kentucky Derby in 2024, and rightfully so. Fierceness has the fastest speed out of all the horses at 110 and has won two of his last three races. Sierra Leone on the other hand has been in four races and has three of the four. The only loss was at the 2023 Remsen on a muddy track where Sierra Leone finished in second place.

It is certainly understandable why you would want to bet on either of the top two horses to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby. If everything goes the way it is supposed to go then either Fierceness or Sierra Leone will be the winner, but that does not always happen, so I am going to look in another direction when picking my Kentucky Derby winner.

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At +1000, Just A Touch offers bettors some value. He has only been in three races, but he has finishes of first, second, and second and looked very strong in both races where he was the runner-up. Last year’s winner, Mage, also only had three starts before the Kentucky Derby, so the inexperience can be overcome. While Fierceness has the top speed out of all the contestants, Just A Touch has the fastest average speed of 102. Just A Touch also has championship pedigree being sired by Justify, who is the most recent Triple Crown winner.

Best Kentucky Derby Win Bet: Just A Touch (+1000)

Kentucky Derby Place Bet Prediction

If Just A Touch wins, I do not believe the top two favorites will be far behind. Because of this, when betting on which horse will come in first or second, both Fierceness and Sierra Leone offer some value. It just comes down to which horse you like more.

I am going to give the edge to Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has been about as consistent as you can find when it comes to placing. In his four starts, he has finished in first or second every time, and the Kentucky Derby should be no different. Sierra Leone also boasts a higher average speed than Fiercenss. Only Just A Touch and Sierra Leone are faster on average than the favorite.

Sierra Leone received the No. 2 post position, which is not an ideal spot, but the horse has the legs and the speed to make up ground if he falls behind early. Sierra Leone’s consistency will continue in the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Best Kentucky Derby Place Bet: Sierra Leone

Kentucky Derby Show Bet Prediction

When Fierceness is on, he is on, but when he is not running at his best, he does not do well. So while he could definitely finish in the top three, if he does not win, I have a hard time seeing him finish third, so there is not much value there.

Instead, when looking for a show bet, it is good to look at a Kentucky Derby longshot. If there is a longshot that you like, betting them to show gives you some more flexibility. One of my favorite longshots for the 2024 Kentucky Derby is Just Steel. Just Steel has a lot of experience with 11 races under his belt, including two wins at Churchill Downs.

Just Steel is fresh off an impressive second-place finish at the Arkansas Derby, losing to Muth, who would be a top contender if he was in the Kentucky Derby this year. Just Steel is worth a look to finish in the top three of this year’s Kentucky Derby.

Best Kentucky Derby Show Bet: Just Steel

Odds to Win 2024 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby odds list Fierceness as the 5/2 favorite to win in 2024. Sierra Leone is not far behind with +300 odds. A $20 wager on Fierceness to win would result in a payout of $70.

Odds at TwinSpires as of May 3, 2024.

The post Best Bets for Kentucky Derby: Picks for Win, Place & Show appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 150th Kentucky Derby on Saturday will likely see close to $300 million in wagers. Hopefully, I can hit several exotics bets during the busy day at Churchill Downs. We’ll go over some of our picks for today (Saturday) and what to watch for during the Run for the Roses.

Last year, a $2 exacta paid $330.44. Even better, the $.50 trifecta was $491.18, as well as $15,643.65 for a correct $1 superfecta.

There are multiple factors to consider when handicapping the Kentucky Derby. The weather, post positions, jockeys, trainers and previous performances will all have an impact on the odds. It’s great to know how to read horse racing odds and betting programs ahead of the event, which will provide you with essential information about each contender.

The most popular bet on Saturday will be on a single horse to win the race. You can also wager on a horse to place (finish at least 2nd) or show (finish at least 3rd). But the largest tickets are cashed by bettors who successfully create exotic wagers for the 20-horse field.

Field for the 150th Kentucky Derby

These are all of the horses in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and the morning line odds. These Kentucky Derby odds will shift based on how bettors react leading up to the race.

1. Dornoch (20-1)
2. Sierra Leone (3-1)
3. Mystik Dan (20-1)
4. Catching Freedom (8-1)
5. Catalytic (30-1)
6. Just Steel (20-1)
7. Honor Marie (20-1)
8. Just a Touch (10-1)
9. Encino (SCR)
10. T O Password (JPN) (30-1)
11. Forever Young (JPN) (10-1)
12. Track Phantom (20-1)
13. West Saratoga (50-1)
14. Endlessly (30-1)
15. Domestic Product (30-1)
16. Grand Mo the First (50-1)
17. Fierceness (5-2)
18. Stronghold (20-1)
19. Resilience (20-1)
20. Society Man (50-1)
21. Epic Ride (30-1)
22. Mugatu (ALT) (30-1)

Fierceness opened as the favorite, with a lot of that having to do with a dominant win in the Florida Derby. It also helps to have John Velazquez as the jockey. Trainer Todd Pletcher has a great chance to winning his third Kentucky Derby with this colt. It drew the No. 17 post, which has never produced a winner. The scratch by Encino has moved him to No. 16.

The other popular pick on Saturday is Sierra Leone. Trainer Chad Brown will be looking for his first Kentucky Derby with the most expensive horse in the field. The jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, is also going for his first derby win, but he has had tons of success at Churchill Downs.

Best Kentucky Derby Exotic Bets

It’s hard to hit an exotic bet in such a large field, especially when a longshot is in the mix. I’m placing several exactas, trifectas and superfectas on Saturday to give myself a chance at a win.

Remember to use all of the different types of wagers to your advantage. You can always key a horse that you think will win or box the entire bet so the horses can finish in any order.

Kentucky Derby Exacta Picks

We have discussed the two strong favorites in the Kentucky Derby, and I will definitely have both in an exacta.

• $5 exacta: Sierra Leone and Fierceness
• $5 exacta box: Fierceness and Catching Freedom
• $5 exacta key: Sierra Leone with Forever Young and Honor Marie

This will give me several chances to hitting a nice ticket. I’m sticking with Fierceness and Sierra Leone, but also adding in another three horses that I think could have a successful trip.

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Catching Freedom is another horse trained by Cox. Flavien Pratt will ride the colt who was bred by WinStar Farm. He will look to close late, just like he did in the Louisiana Derby. Honor Marie wasn’t far behind in that race.

A Japanese horse has yet to win the Run for the Roses, but Forever Young has a real chance at making history. The colt has yet to lose in his five starts, winning the UAE Derby (G2) and the Saudi Derby (G3)

Kentucky Derby Trifecta & Superfecta Picks

It only gets harder as we look into trifectas and superfectas. This is when a longshot can sneak in and ruin a nearly perfect bet. But there’s nothing better than having that getting it right. I recommend including some of the horses we have discussed while adding in surprise.

• $1 trifecta box: Sierra Leone, Just Steel and Catching Freedom
• $1 trifecta key: Fierceness with Honor Marie, Mystik Dan and Just a Touch
• $1 superfecta box: Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Forever Young and Catching Freedom

There’s a chance of rain on Saturday, which would help Mystik Dan become a top contender. Hopefully, one of these exotic bets will hit for a nice pay day. Another longshot to throw in would by Catalytic, who drew the No. 5 post that has produced the most winners. If his odds are long enough on Saturday, I’ll take him across the board just in case.

The Kentucky Derby is the 12th race of the day at Churchill Downs, so there is plenty of action to bet on throughout the day. Try placing a Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4 or Pick 5 to correctly pick multiple races in a row.

Sign up on TwinSpires and FanDuel to get in your bets before post time at 6:57 pm ET. Each app has all of the types of horse racing bets that you will need for the big race.

The post Kentucky Derby Exotic Bets – Exacta, Trifecta & Superfecta Picks for 2024 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place this Saturday (May 4) with post time set for 6:57pm ET at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is not only an opportunity to break out those flamboyant hats and fascinators, but also one of America’s favorite betting events.

Unlike other top betting events, such as the Super Bowl or March Madness, most of the bets placed on the Kentucky Derby will be done so by individuals who have not watched a single horse race this season – probably many who haven’t seen one since last year’s Kentucky Derby. With that in mind, let me offer my best bets for the Kentucky Derby!

Kentucky Derby Predictions, Picks & Best Bets

I have two horses that I like heading into Saturday, and neither is the favorite Fierceness.

My best bet to win the Kentucky Derby: Sierra Leone (3-1)

While Fierceness has been very up-and-down, Sierra Leone has been nothing but consistently good. (The inconsistent runs is the reason I am out on Fierceness at such a short price.) Sierra Leone enters the Derby as the points leader and has only been beaten once, which was only by a nose.

Sierra Leone is trained by Chad Brown, who does not yet have a win at the Kentucky Derby in seven starts, but he does have one place and one show. Horses trained by Brown have had success at Churchill Downs, though, notching 40 wins in 218 starts. That’s good for an 18% win rate, which is second-best among trainers with more than one start. In simpler words, Brown knows how to prep horses for Churchill Downs.

Another great sign for Sierra Leone is that per Equibase, each of the last nine Kentucky Derby winners have posted a final workout of five furlongs or longer the week prior to the Derby. Sierra Leone is one of 12 horses to get in five or more furlongs in their final workout – Fierceness only put in four furlongs.

If Fierceness is at its best on Saturday, I believe jockey John Velasquez will pick up his fourth Kentucky Derby win. But the odds are too short for a horse who only has three wins in five starts. Sierra Leone at 3-1 odds is the best bet on the board, in my opinion.

If you’re looking for a bigger payout, I also like Dornoch (20-1). This is a horse who has a few wins under its belt and has experience on not only many different tracks but also different types of weather/conditions.

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Weather Could Be a Factor at Churchill Downs

There is currently a 51% chance of rain at Churchill Downs Saturday morning, but the precipitation is expected to stop prior to post time at 6:57pm ET. That doesn’t mean the track will be dry, though. There is a decent chance these horses will be dealing with some sloppy conditions.

If that is the case, we could see some massive Kentucky Derby odds movement ahead of the race. This type of weather would only further my confidence in Sierra Leone, who has raced in muddy conditions with success more than once, and Dornoch, the only horse to beat Sierra Leone thus far, and he did so by a nose in the mud.

Kentucky Derby Odds

• Fierceness: 5-2
• Sierra Leone: 3-1
• Catching Freedom: 8-1
• Forever Young: 10-1
• Just a Touch: 10-1
• T O Password: 10-1
• Dornoch: 20-1
• Honor Marie: 20-1
• Mystik Dan: 20-1
• Resilience: 20-1
• Just Steel: 20-1
• Stronghold: 20-1
• Track Phantom: 20-1
• Domestic Product: 30-1
• Catalytic: 30-1
• Endlessly: 30-1
• Epic Ride: 30-1
• Mugatu: 30-1
• Grand Mo The First: 50-1
• Society Man: 50-1
• West Saratoga: 50-1

Fierceness is the current favorite to win the Kentucky Derby with 5-2 odds, which is the equivalent of +250 American odds. A $5 bet on Fierceness at 5-2 odds would stand to win $12.50 and return $17.50, whereas a $10 bet would potentially profit $25 and return $35. Based off the 5-2 odds, Fierceness has a 28.6% chance to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

The next-best odds belong to Sierra Leone, who is listed at 3-1, which is the same as +300 American odds. A $5 bet on Sierra Leone at 3-1 odds would potentially win you $15 and return $20. Sierra Leone’s probability of winning the Derby is 25%.

The horses with the worst odds to win right now are Grand Mo The First, Society Man, and West Saratoga, who are each getting 50-1 odds. A $5 bet on any of those three horses at 50-1 odds would win you $250 and return $255. But keep in mind the payout is so big because the oddsmakers feel it’s highly unlikely any of these three horses win. Based on the odds, each only has a 2% chance to win.

If you don’t have a racebook you are already using, check out our favorite horse racing betting apps to get in on the action!

The odds above are from TwinSpires and are accurate as of Friday, May 3. 

The post Odds for 2024 Kentucky Derby & Expert Picks, Predictions appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Everyone loves an underdog, and that is exactly what you get when betting on a Kentucky Derby longshot. They have worse odds than favorites like Fierceness and Dornoch, but the payouts can be much more substantial.

There are plenty of ways to bet on the Kentucky Derby, so sports bettors that are either looking to bet on horse racing for the first time or want a refresher should check out our horse racing guide to see how to bet on the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby Longshots

This year is an especially great year to give some of the longshots a look. The latest Kentucky Derby odds list Fierceness as the 5/2 favorite, but there are some trends that go against him winning. First, Fierceness has never won back to back races in his career, so while he is fresh off a record-breaking performance at the the Florida Derby, history suggests another horse will win Saturday evening.

Fierceness will also be running from the No. 16 post position, which has a win rate of 7.8% and has seen four winners since 1930. It is not the worst draw the favorite could have had, but it certainly did not do him any favors.

So with that all being said, let’s take a look at some of the horses that have at least 20/1 odds who have the best chance of pulling off an upset at the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

West Saratoga is a Great Story

West Saratoga is one of the most experienced horses in the field and has 50/1 odds to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby, which means a $20 wager would result in a $1,000 win. His trainer, Larry Demmeritte, is a veteran who is making his first appearance at Churchill Downs. Demmeritte is known for buying horses at a cheaper price later in auctions, and he purchased West Saratoga for $11,000. Demmeritte has been in horse racing for a while, but he has never had a horse as great as West Saratoga. Demmeritte has been battling cancer, but that will not stop him from enjoying his time at Churchill Downs.

West Saratoga will be racing from the No. 12 post position on Saturday, and while he is not the fastest horse, he has won or placed in eight of his last nine starts. He is also no stranger to being an underdog, as he had 36/1 odds in his last race at the Jeff Ruby Stakes. West Saratoga might not have won, but he ran one of his fastest races and finished second to qualify for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Even if he does not have the legs to win this race, Demmeritte and West Saratoga have already become fan favorites.

Even though West Saratoga is not my favorite longshot pick, if you like him to win, be sure to checkout the horse racing betting apps to lock in your bet.

Dornoch Has Championship DNA

Dornoch has 20/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby and has champion in his blood, as he is the direct brother of last year’s Kentucky Derby champion, Mage. They are the offspring of Good Magic, who had a second-place finish at the Kentucky Derby, and Puca, whose sire won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Dornoch becomes just the 31st horse to have a full sibling start the Derby. Four of them have been winners.

Before a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Bluegrass Stakes, Dornoch won three races in a row. He also has two second-place finishes on his resume. He is in a prime bounce-back spot in this year’s Kentucky Derby. He will be running from the first post position, which has not been a great spot historically, but it does give him the shortest path to the finish line.

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What makes Dornoch a true longshot pick worth looking at is the fact that he has already beaten Sierra Leone, who has the second-best odds to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby. In fact, Dornoch is the only horse to beat Sierra Leone. It was on a muddy Aqueduct track in Queens, but it was still a victory nonetheless. The forecast on Saturday has a slight chance of rain, so if the track does get muddy, Dornoch has experience running through the mud.

Just Steel Has Momentum

Just Steel is also 20/1 to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby. He is one of the most experienced in the 20-horse field as he has 11 starts. Just Steel is fresh off a second-place finish at the Arkansas Derby and has finished in second or better in four of his last five races. His second-place finish at the Arkansas Derby was an impressive one, as it was the fastest of his career. He lost to Muth, who is not racing in the Kentucky Derby this year, but is trained by Bob Baffert and is the current favorite to win the 2024 Preakness Stakes.

Just Steel does not just have overall horse racing experience through his 11 races, but he also has experience at Churchill Downs. He has raced at Churchill Downs twice and has a first-place finish and a third-place finish in those two starts. Just Steel is trained by D. Wayne Lucas, who has won the Kentucky Derby four times. Just Steel has the speed to pull off the upset, so now it is only a matter of execution, and I trust a horse that has been trained by Lucas.

2024 Kentucky Derby Longshot Pick: Just Steel (+2000)

The post 2024 Kentucky Derby Longshot Picks – Can West Saratoga, Dornoch, or Just Steel Upset Fierceness? appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Sultan of Saratoga, Fourstardave won at least one race at The Spa each year from 1987 to 1994. A New York bred that was purchased for only $2,500, he was a fan favorite that earned more than $1.6 million. The race named for Fourstardave is a Grade 1, one mile turf event that earns the winner a berth in the Breeders Cup Mile. We have this year’s Fourstardave picks and all of this weekend’s Saratoga predictions here.

Trainer Bill Mott has won the Fourstardave a record five times. He sends out defending champ Casa Creed on Saturday. The Fourstardave Handicap is one of three stakes on the card. Let’s look at the trio and consider where a bet might be worthwhile for our horse racing picks today.

Expert Horse Racing Picks at Saratoga

Our expert horse racing picks this weekend at Saratoga are going the way of Love Reigns (+250, Rhyme Schemes (-125) and Casa Creed (+140).

Weather has caused trouble this meet at Saratoga, and the outlook for Saturday isn’t great. While temperatures are slated to be in the mid 70s, there is a 70% chance of rain in the late afternoon. The Galway, a five-and-a-half furlong grass race, has a post time of 4:30 pm ET. The Saratoga Special, at six-and-a-half furlongs on the main track, goes at 5:06 pm. The Fourstardave begins at 5:44 pm. Fox will air all three races.

Want a great sportsbook bonus? Head over to the top sports betting apps to get the best promotions this weekend!

Galway Stakes Prediction

Love Reigns (+250) feels like good betting value in this 11 horse field. She has run five times with three victories including a pair of stakes scores. Her lone defeats are at Royal Ascot against the best in the world, and in the Breeders Cup, where she ran poorly as a big favorite against boys. She is coming off of her best career effort.

Trainer Wesley Ward specializes in turf sprinters, and Love Reigns won her only career start at Saratoga.

Beauty of the Sea (+1000) beat Love Appeals (+400) and My Sweet Affair (+600) four weeks ago at Monmouth Park. Beauty of the Sea has improved in each of her five races, but took a big step forward last time out. Love Appeals was the favorite in the Blue Sparkler Stakes, and is now running for the second time since a layoff. My Sweet Affair gets top jockey Irad Ortiz Jr on Saturday.

Redifined (+600) is coming off her best career win, albeit against lesser competition. She just missed in a stakes race in the fall. Her effort at Saratoga last August was solid.

Galway Stakes Picks: Love Reigns (+250)

Saratoga Special Prediction

Rhyme Schemes (-125) ran an absolutely incredible race on June 15 at Ellis Park. After finishing sixth of nine horses in his debut at Churchill Downs, he led every step of the way going five-and-a-half furlongs in try number two. The time of the race was fast, the competition was solid, and a repeat of that effort would be really difficult to compete with. So is he the horse we saw first time out, or the second version? If he improves on the last race, people are going to start talking about aiming for the roses in May.

Edified (+350) is a $650,000 son of Tapit trained by Steve Asmussen. He broke poorly in his only race, but quickly made up ground, and beat a field of nine at Ellis Park going six furlongs on July 1. Like Rhyme Schemes, he was not bet strongly. Unlike Rhyme Schemes, the time of the race came back average not overly quick.

Haul (+300) was the favorite when winning by three lengths at first asking July 9 at Belmont Park. The five-and-a-half furlong race was won in a normal time. The $260,000 son of Army Mule is trained by top conditioner Todd Pletcher.

The son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, Market Sense (+1000) won his first race, and led most of the way before fading against stakes horses at Saratoga on July 15. Like Edified and Haul, he will need to run considerably faster if Rhyme Schemes repeats his last race.

Rhyme Schemes may regress, and others could improve, but -125 (or 4/5 in horse racing) means implied odds of 55.5%. A repeat of his last race and his chances are a lot greater than that to win. In fact, if he runs 15% worse, he’ll still be hard to catch.

Saratoga Special Picks: Rhyme Schemes (-125)

FourStarDave Handicap Prediction

Only three of seven entrants will get serious play in the feature event, with defending champ Casa Creed (+140) the tepid favorite. She beat Annapolis (+160) when they squared off at The Spa a month ago.

In that race Annapolis was the favorite. Annapolis had won three of four going into the affair with her only loss in the Breeders Cup. Annapolis is a four year old, while Casa Creed is seven. Casa Creed’s three races prior to the Kelso were at shorter distances. Her last three races going a mile include two wins, and a loss to Annapolis in October at Keeneland.

Emmanuel (+300) does not have a Grade 1 win, like the other top contenders. However, Emmanuel is four years old and just took the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park. She has won four of her last six and Ortiz will ride.

Fourstardave Handicap Picks: Casa Creed (+140)

The post Saratoga Predictions & Odds – Fourstardave Handicap & More Horse Racing Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The first $1 million race in America was the 1981 Arlington Million won by John Henry. Run at Arlington Park in the Chicago suburbs until the facility closed in 2021, last year the race took place at Churchill Downs. With its’ lush turf course, Colonial Downs in the suburbs of Richmond, VA, will host the event this year. Read on for our Colonial Downs predictions for this weekend.

The mile-and-a-quarter Arlington Million, and two other races traditionally run on Arlington Park’s sod, the mile-and-three-sixteenths Beverly D Stakes, and one mile Secretariat Stakes, each look to be pretty open. No horse is under +200 in any of three events, and the Arlington Million favorite, Atone, is +350.

Let’s look carefully at the fields this Saturday in what may be the biggest day of racing in the history of Old Dominion. Where can we find betting value in our horse racing picks today?

Expert Horse Racing Picks at Colonial Downs

Our Colonial Downs predictions will feature picks on Silver Knott (+300), Gina Romantico (+500) and Adhamo (+1000). Be sure to check out the top US betting sites before you make your Colonial Downs picks to get a great sportsbook bonus this weekend.

Weather on Saturday in Virginia is likely to be warm and dry. All three races will air on FanDuel TV. The Secretariat goes at 5:10 pm ET, with the Beverly D 45 minutes later, and the Arlington Million at 6:40 pm. The Beverly D is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In event with the winner earning a berth into the BC Filly & Mare Turf.

Secretariat Stakes Prediction

More Than Looks (+500) beat Nagirroc (+250) and Major Dude (+600) on July 7 at Belmont Park. That day Nagirroc was the favorite at +165, with Major Dude a close second choice at +200, and More Than Looks +720.

Nagirroc was super impressive on the Preakness undercard, after losing as the favorite to Mo Stash (+500) in April at Keeneland.

In his first race against graded stakes company, More Than Looks ran his best career race, picking up a third win in five tries. Major Dude ran his worst race of the year after four straight strong performances albeit at smaller tracks.

Mo Stash, who usually goes to the front, wouldn’t let Nagirroc by when they met. However, he was passed in the late stages on the Kentucky Derby undercard, and just yielded last time out at Ellis Park.

Silver Knott (+300) was second in last year’s Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. This year he was outclassed in a tough race in Great Britain, and has run third and fifth against top horses at Belmont Park. He hasn’t seemed to improve yet from the age of two to three.

Northern Invader (+800) didn’t run as a two year old, and his first two races, both on dirt were solid but not spectacular. Against maidens in his turf debut at Belmont Park last month he scored by eight lengths. This will be a big step up in competition.

Secretariat Stakes Picks: Silver Knott (+300)

Beverly D Stakes Prediction

A seven-horse field includes just one entrant that is over +1000, and Jan’s Girl (+1200) has won three straight. She is stepping up significantly in competition.

Fev Rover (+200) made her US debut four weeks ago and finished third, behind Whitebeam and In Italian, two good ones, in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga. She won two of four races in Canada following an 11-race international career that saw a lot of money earned, but not many victories. She knows a thing or two about top caliber opponents.

Didia (+300) saw her seven race win streak snapped at Belmont Park on June 9 in the Grade 1 New York Stakes. She wasn’t comfortable entering the starting gate, and still ran second in her first G1 race in North America. She won two top level events in Chile, and took the Grade 3 Modesty Stakes at Churchill Downs on Derby Weekend.

Romagna Mia (+400) has raced in Europe and the Middle East. In Italy last year she won three times in five races with two seconds, and took a Group 2 contest to wrap up the year. Facing better horses this year, she has not hit the board running three times in France and once in Qatar.

Gina Romantica (+500), like Jan’s Girl and Romagna Mia, is a four year old. Often horses take their greatest leap forward moving from the age of three to four. Gina Romantica was off between October and June, and she ran fourth upon return in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park. Her win to wrap up last year in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland was strong. She should fire her best race second off the layoff, and second as a four year old on Saturday. Is it good enough? We think it will be in our Colonial Downs predictions.

Beverly D Stakes Picks: Gina Romantica (+500)

Arlington Million Prediction

Santin (+800) won this race last year when it was run in Louisville.

Santin was on a role then. He won the 2022 Turf Classic on Derby Weekend, finished sixth but posted a big speed rating in the Grade 1 Manhattan, and then won the Arlington Million. Since then things haven’t gone well. He has lost six straight and hasn’t hit the board in any of them. Getting back on turf should help, but it will take a similar effort to last year’s version of this race to get the job done.

Atone (+350) is one of four Grade 1 winners in this field of 11. However, he has never raced more than a-mile-and-an-eighth. Does he want an extra eighth of a mile? His win in the Pegasus World Cup Turf in January was awesome. His two race since then are fair.

Never Explain (+600) has run four straight solid races including a win in the Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes on Preakness Weekend. It is unclear if that effort would be good enough to beat this group. He lost to Catnip (+800) at Monmouth Park on June 17. Catnip followed that victory up with a second place effort in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes three weeks ago. He is working really quickly leading into this affair.

Seven year olds Set Piece (+600), Rockemperor (+500), and Master Piece (+1200) all have races during their careers that could win this. None appear to be in their best form right now, but Set Piece won impressively at Churchill Downs on June 3 in a Grade 3 event.

Adhamo (+1000) has faced strictly the top North American horses. After just missing in last February’s Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes, he ran in five straight G1 races, winning one, and finishing second in another. This is his 2023 debut, and it is possible the mile-and-a-half distance in his last two races before the layoff was just too long.

Arlington Million Picks: Adhamo (+1000)

The post Colonial Downs Predictions & Odds – Arlington Million, Beverly D Stakes & More Horse Racing Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, near San Diego, was Bing Crosby’s summer hideaway. The boutique seven-week meet, “Where the Surf Meets the Turf,” includes six Grade 1 events, the first being the race named for Crosby. A $400,000 six furlong test on Saturday, it is a Breeders Cup Win and You’re In race with a berth in the BC Sprint on the line.

Trainer Mark Glatt has won the Crosby in two of the last three years, and he saddles Dr Schivel, who won this race in 2021. While Dr. Schivel is the morning line favorite, this year’s Crosby appears to be wide-open and it is advisable to take a long look at each of the dozen entrants when making your Bing Crosby picks.

Let’s examine the field carefully, and consider where we can find betting value.

2023 Bing Crosby Stakes Odds

The Bing Crosby Stakes dates back to 1946, when War Allies and Indian Watch dead heated for the win in the original meeting. This year’s event has logical favorites, reasonable alternatives, and a live longshot or two. At +350 odds, Dr. Shivel is the favorite and given an implied probability of 22.22 to win. Check out the top sports betting sites to make your Bing Crosby Stakes best bets this weekend.

Weather is expected to be perfect on Saturday, mid 70s with less than a 10% chance of rain. Post time is slated for 9:30 pm ET, and FanDuel TV will air the race.

Let’s look carefully at the field nad make our Bing Crosby prediction.

Bing Crosby Stakes Favorites

Dr. Schivel was on a role when he won the Crosby in 2021. It was the third of five straight wins for the then three year old.

Two years ago Dr. Schivel went on to finish second, missing by only a neck in the Breeders Cup Sprint. Last year he ran just once, finishing third in a lucrative race in Dubai. After more than a year off, he beat a lesser field at Santa Anita in May, then finished well behind Cody’s Wish in the Grade 1 Met Mile, going long last month.

Spirit of Makena has four victories in five starts and is on a three race win streak. The five year old won a Grade 3 event at Santa Anita in March, and repeated in a G2 in late May. Both races were run at seven furlongs.

The Chosen Vron has run off seven consecutive scores, but they are all against California bred competition. He beat an open field at Turf Paradise in 2021, and won a G3 at Santa Anita in June of that year, though it was restricted to three year olds.

Anarchist finished second behind Breeders Cup winner Elite Power last month. In 10 career races, he has two wins and six seconds. An improving four year old, he has faced really good horses consistently, but his only wins are against maidens at Ellis Park, and Grade 3 horses at Woodbine on a synthetic course.

Bing Crosby Stakes Contenders

Sibelius should run well on Saturday. He put together three straight wins prior to a third place performance in June’s Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs. That was his first race since returning from the Middle East, and often horses need some time and seasoning after that long trip.

American Theorem won this race last year.

His three efforts since that score are declining. After finishing a solid second in a Grade 2 event at Del Mar in August, he ran poorly in the BC Sprint, and his 2023 debut was a clunky fifth in a five horse field at Santa Anita last month.

Veteran C Z Rocket has earned over $2 million. His last win was at Del Mar, just over a year ago. That came against lesser competition, and since then he has started eight times without a victory.

Bing Crosby Stakes Longshots

Hoist the Gold beat a lesser field easily at Ellis Park going seven furlongs at the start of this month. Previously, he had been facing better horses, and often been competitive.

Get Her Number is also cutting back in distance and dropping down from facing Cody’s Wish, who might be the fastest horse in the US right now. His best races, which all took place last year, would be competitive with this group.

Todo Fino had won five straight, three in Chile and two in California before debuting this year with a third place performance in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream Park. This is the best field he has ever faced.

Kid Corleone won off a layoff against lesser competition in June, and is running for the second time as a four year old. He is stepping way up in competition, but has three wins in six starts and lots of early speed.

Peaceful Waters has never faced this level of horse, but is also a developing four year old running for the second time this year and coming off a victory. He has wins at Saratoga and Keeneland, but this is his stakes debut.

Bing Crosby Stakes Prediction

The favorites are all reasonable, Dr. Schivel has done little wrong, only losing to top notch competition. However, there are prices with legitimate chances in here in the Bing Crosby odds. Sibelius is primed to run a big one, is he good enough? Four year olds Hoist the Gold and Kid Corleone have not proven they can beat this level of rival. However, both are in excellent form and worth a chance at a big number. In a wide-open field, Hoist the Gold attracts top rider Juan Hernandez.

Bing Crosby Stakes Picks: Hoist the Gold (+1500)

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The post Bing Crosby Stakes Odds, Picks & Prediction – Dr Schivel Favored In Wide-Open Race appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

When the starting gate opens shortly after 1 pm ET Thursday at Saratoga Race Course, 160 years of history will be rekindled. Long known as the Graveyard of Favorites, champions such as Man o’ War, Gallant Fox, Secretariat, Rachel Alexandra, and American Pharoah all lost at the Spa. Will there be more upsets this week in the Saratoga odds?

Unlike any OTB, sportsbook, arena or stadium you have ever been to, Saratoga is different. For less than $10 you can get in, bring with you whatever food or drink you desire, and watch the best athletes the sport has. At the same time, plenty of the nearly 27,000 fans that attend daily never bother to watch the horses directly. They sit at the picnic tables in the backyard, enjoy the atmosphere under the trees and on the lawn, tailgate, people watch, shop at the many tents from local merchants, bet, and view the races on big screens.

However you enjoy Saratoga, it has the best racing in the country. Thursday’s Schuylerville Stakes is the traditional Opening Day feature, and Saturday has a trio of graded stakes races. Let’s break them down and see where there is betting value present for our Saratoga predictions.

Expert Horse Racing Picks at Saratoga

We’re focusing on four of the biggest races this week at Saratoga in our horse racing picks above. The picks come from the Schuylerville Stakes, Diana Stakes, Kelso Stakes and Sanford Stakes. While Saturday’s odds aren’t posted yet, our best, Sugar Treat, pays out at +600 in the Schuylerville Stakes on Thursday.

Located about a half hour from Albany, and 180 miles north of New York City, Saratoga regularly gets bad weather. Highs are expected to be in the 80s this weekend, with a 60 percent chance of rain Thursday afternoon though it could hold off until after the races conclude. There is a 40 percent chance of precipitation on Saturday. All Saratoga races are televised by the Fox family of networks. Fox Sports 2 has coverage Thursday and for the final three stakes on Saturday. The Diana will be on Fox Sports 1.

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Schuylerville Stakes Prediction

Baby races, for two year olds, are a huge part of Saratoga. Often times the horses we will follow on their way to the Triple Crown races debut at The Spa. The six furlong Schuylerville has been run since 1918. The grade three stakes has been won by trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Todd Pletcher a record six times. Both have strong contenders this year.

Pletcher’s Wine on Tap (+250), a $600,000 son of Tapit won his debut June 18 at Belmont Park by three lengths. From a speed figure standpoint, it is the best race any of the horses in this field have run.

Lukas, who last won the race in 2004, counters with Saratoga Secret (+400). A $200,000 son of Arrogate, he beat five rivals at Ellis Park by three lengths on June 23.

Carmelina (+500) dominated seven overmatched rivals at PARX on June 18, and did so in a speedy manner.

Sugar Treat (+600) was bred for five grand, and then sold at auction for $120,000. He debuted on a synthetic track at Gulfstream Park in June, had racing trouble, and still won. Trainer Mark Casse has had success at Saratoga when two year olds switch surfaces.

Texas bred Closing Act (+1000) is trained by Steve Asmussen, who has conditioned more winners than anybody in US racing history. Closing Act is the only horse with two victories, beating maidens at Churchill Downs, and stakes horses at Belmont park

Schuylerville Stakes Picks: Sugar Treat (+600)

Diana Stakes Prediction

Only five high end fillies and mares are signed up for this mile-and-an-eighth grass Grade 1. While every contender in the race is coming off a graded stakes victory, In Italian (-250) is nearly certain to be on the lead early on, and four times in her last five races she has been first at the finish line too.

Over the last 12 months In Italian has run five times, has four wins, and her only setback came in the Breeders Cup. She led almost all the way in that one, yielding to Tuesday in the final sixteenth of a mile, and finished second. She won this race last year, and has earned over $1.9 million with seven wins in 11 starts.

Chad Brown trains In Italian, he also conditions Marketsegmentation (+400), Fluffy Socks (+800), and Whitebeam (+500). Marketsegmentation has won three straight and four of five. The four year old daughter of American Pharoah won the Grade 1 New York Stakes the day before the Belmont Stakes. Fluffy Socks won off a long layoff on the Kentucky Derby undercard. In three tries at Saratoga, she has two second place efforts. Her career best race may have been a runner up performance in last year’s Balston Spa Stakes at The Spa. Whitebeam has run twice in America, just missing in New York in April, and winning on the Preakness undercard in Baltimore two months ago. The horses that finished second and third behind her at Pimlico have both returned to win.

The lone entrant not trained by Brown, Fev Rover (+1200) scored two weeks ago at Woodbine. Twice a Grade 2 winner for Mark Casse, this is her American debut after two wins in four starts in Canada.

Diana Stakes Picks: In Italian (-250)

Kelso Stakes Prediction

There seems to be ample speed signed up for this Grade 3 turf mile for older males. A strong early pace could be good news for Casa Creed (+250). Though the seven year old has not won since Saratoga’s 2022 meet, his last five tries in the US are against Grade 1 competition. Two of his last three races have been loses to the seemingly unbeatable Caravel, and he just missed in a Grade 3 in Saudi Arabia in February. Perhaps the six furlong race following the long trip home from the Middle East was designed by veteran trainer Bill Mott as a nice prep for longer races this summer. He’ll be flying late.

Making his second start as a four year old, and first since Kentucky Derby week in Louisville, Annapolis (+160) rarely gives a bad effort. He finished second in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational last August, crushed a small field in the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes at The Spa in September, and won the G1 Turf Mile at Keeneland before a disappointing Breeders Cup Mile. His effort at Churchill Downs to begin this campaign may suggest more big things are coming.

Annapolis has made $1.3 million in nine career starts including six victories.

Filo Di Arianna (+500) finished second, with Anaconda (+600) fourth in a blanket finish in last month’s Poker Stakes at Belmont Park. After three straight wins, Filo di Arianna has just missed in back-to-back races. Filo di Arianna is likely to be near the lead, which Big Everest (+500) is sure to push hard. Anaconda, like Annapolis, will look to get the first run on Casa Creed and the deep closers. Anaconda lost to Big Everest by a nose in April, won a stakes race at Belmont in May, and was right with Filo Di Arianna in the Poker.

Kelso Stakes Picks: Casa Creed (+250)

Sanford Stakes Prediction

Like the Schuylerville, two year old boys go six furlongs in this Grade 3 event. If Gold Sweep (-167) runs like he did winning Belmont’s Tremont Stakes last month, he should win this too. In fact, his debut at Churchill Downs in May, a second place performance, was probably quicker than anyone else in this field has run.

Don’t get too confident with babies. Horses can take major steps forward, or regress, very easily. Market Street (+1200) romped in his debut at Ellis Park just over two weeks. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense is trained by Lukas and was impressive on debut.

Top jockey Irad Ortiz rides Call the Cavalry (+800). A Florida bred, he won easily at Belmont debuting at five furlongs in early June.

Belmont Derby Picks: Gold Sweep (-167)

The post Saratoga Predictions & Odds – Schuylerville Stakes, Diana Stakes & More Horse Racing Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Saratoga’s season kicks off on Thursday, and the red carpet event that is Opening Day at Del Mark is less than two weeks away. Not to be overshadowed, Horseshoe Indianapolis and Prairie Meadows have huge cards Saturday, and Belmont Park’s final weekend of the year is filled with stakes action. We’ve picked out the top races from those courses this weekend for our top horse racing picks today.

While the Kentucky Derby gets all the attention, winning any derby is a big deal. The Indiana Derby and Iowa Derby have strong competition in Indy and Des Moines Saturday. Meanwhile, Belmont Park features horses, foreign and domestic, sure to be headed towards November’s Breeders Cup.

Let’s break-down the top events for this weekend and try to find some winners in our horse racing predictions.

Expert Horse Racing Picks Today

Our top horse racing picks includes picks on Verifying (+160), Eyeing Clover (+300), The Foxes (+350) and Speirling Beag (+800).

While others races are mixed in, Fox Sports 2 has a big event each hour between 4-7 pm ET Saturday. The Belmont Oaks goes at 4:43 pm, the Belmont Derby at 5:49 pm, and the Indiana Derby is slated for 6:40 pm. New York is expecting dry conditions with temperatures in the low 80s, while Indianapolis is likely to get rain on Saturday with forecasts in the 70s. The Iowa Derby follows several stakes events at Prairie Meadows. It goes at 10:38 pm and will air on FanDuel TV. Dry conditions are expected in Des Moines with temperatures in the 60s.

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Indiana Derby Prediction

A grade 3 event set for a-mile-and-a-sixteenth on the dirt attracted a field of nine. After running a tight second in the Blue Grass Stakes, Verifying (+160) raced on the hot Kentucky Derby pace and threw in the towel early. He rebounded to run a tight second last month in the Matt Winn Stakes.

A $775,000 son of Triple Crown winner Justify, Verifying has two wins and has yet to beat a stakes caliber field. That said, this is the weakest group he has been a part of since winning in January at Oaklawn Park. He may appreciate the sixteenth of a mile cutback. His wins are at shorter distances.

Cagliostro (+800) has run five times, and two of them were really sharp. He rallied from eighth last time out to lose by a head at Churchill Downs. He just missed against Iowa Derby contender Denington in February. He was ignored at the betting window and was not close in his lone stakes try, the Louisiana Derby.

Act a Fool (+600) has won four straight, all in Illinois. This is a big step up, but trainer Larry Rivelli helped lead Two Phil’s to a second place performance in the Kentucky Derby, and an easy win in the Ohio Derby.

Raise Cain (+1000) finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby and then was a well beaten fourth in the Matt Winn. His victory in March’s Gotham Stakes is the only graded stakes win for anyone in this field.

Chip Lang Stakes Picks: Verifying (+160)

Iowa Derby Prediction

A seemingly evenly matched field of 13 is slated to go a-mile-and-a-sixteeth. It feels like there is a ton of early speed, with Bo Cruz (+450), One in Vermillion (+1000), Eyeing Clover (+300), and Black Powder (+1000) among a large group that wants to be forwardly placed.

Being right on a speed duel feels like a bad option, so who can be just off the pace?

Black Powder won moving from second to the lead in the stretch at Oaklawn Park in May. His stakes debut three weeks later in Texas did not go well.

West Coast Cowboy (+600) ran in a couple of Kentucky Derby prep races, and after two months off rallied nicely to beat optional claimers at Gulfstream Park a month ago.

Eyeing Clover was in the front for back-to-back wins to begin his career, and took a stakes at Oaklawn rallying from a couple lengths back on April 1. In late May he rallied and just missed in the Texas Derby.

Bo Cruz is all about speed. He won a pair of races before backing up in the late stages of the Matt Winn.

Denington (+1200) should love a quick tempo. He has been facing better horses, rallying late, and rarely recently has gotten close. That said, this level and a hot pace could be the right mix.

Iowa Derby Picks: Eyeing Clover (+300)

Belmont Oaks Prediction

A very competitive half million dollar mile-and-a-quarter Grade 1 turf race features a nice group of three year old fillies. Mission of Joy (+200) has faced Papilio (+400) in each of their last two races.

On the Kentucky Oaks undercard Mission of Joy finished third with Papilio just behind her. A month later Mission of Joy beat Papilio by a length-and-a-half. Both horses ran their best career races last time out. Papilio has a knack for finding racing trouble.

Prerequisite (+500) fought off Be Your Best (+1000) to win the Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont on June 11. Prerequisite has gotten better in each of her three starts for top turf trainer Chad Brown. Be Your Best lost by more than five lengths to Papilio in April, but ran a career best just missing last time out.

Brown also has unbeaten Aspray (+600). She has taken giant strides forward each time out and looked awesome down the lane the day before the Preakness Stakes in Maryland.

Speirling Beag (+800) and Aspen Grove (+800) are both Irish breds who have only run in Europe. Speirling Beag beat boys in a Group 3 event to wrap up 2022. Her lone race this year was against better competition, and she was fifth of eight in France on April 1. Aspen Grove has been overwhelmed by dramatically stronger rivals recently. She won a group 3 in Ireland in August.

Belmont Oaks Picks: Speirling Beag (+800)

Belmont Derby Prediction

A grade 1 with a prize of $750,000 for three year old boys going a mile-and-a-quarter has attracted an international field of 11. Irish bred and England based The Foxes (+350) has been facing top level competition and asserting himself nicely. He has three wins in seven starts, including two Group 2 contests. He was +700, stumbled out of the gate, and still finished fifth of 14 in the Group 1 Epsom Derby June 3.

Silver Knott (+600) is trained by top European conditioner Charles Appleby who usually means business when he sends horses to America. He was the favorite in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf, but finished second in November. In Great Britain, he was +1400 in a Group 1 race in May and didn’t run well. He returned to the US and finished third, beaten by a length as the favorite in last month’s Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont.

Kalik (+500) finished first, and Far Bridge (+400) finished second, ahead of Silver Knott on June 3. Trained by Brown, Kalik has won three straight, improving as the distances have gotten further. Far Bridge won his first two races, and has been close in each of his last two.

Webslinger (+450) beat Far Bridge by a nose on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Then Webslinger returned to beat Mendelssohns March (+3000) among others in a stakes race at Churchill Downs June 3.

Brown also sends out Redistricting (+800). He has run only once, but dominated maidens going a-mile-and-a-sixteenth at Belmont June 3. He did so despite racing wide, and finished with a strong rally.

Belmont Derby Picks: The Foxes (+350)

The post Horse Racing Picks, Predictions, Odds – Indiana Derby, Iowa Derby, Belmont Derby & More appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Six of eight entrants in Saturday’s Stephen Foster Stakes have earned over $1 million yet there is little consensus as to who the best of the field is in the Stephen Foster Stakes odds. With varying opinions can come value. For several reasons, this is a unique edition of the Foster.

When it was announced that the final three weeks of Churchill Down’s meet would be run two hours west of Louisville, at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY, it created a lot of firsts. The high end racing normally reserved for Churchill, is now being taken on the road.

None of the horses in the Foster have ever won at Ellis Park, and only two of them have run at the track. On the flip side, more than half the field has won at Churchill Downs. With uncertainty can come opportunity. Let’s look carefully at the field.

2023 Stephen Foster Stakes Odds

With no convincing favorite, if you can pick the winner the price will be acceptable. Smile Happy is the shortest favorite at +300 odds, but West Will Power at +350 and Proxy and Rattle N Roll at +400 are all priced similarly.

The Stephen Foster was a Grade 1 race from 2002 until 2018 and saw legends like Gun Runner and Curlin win. Recently it has been downgraded to a G2, but after Maxfield and Olympiad prospered the last two years, the Grade 1 status was returned.

Temperatures on Saturday are expected to be in the high 90s and a thunderstorm rolling through is fairly likely. Fan Duel TV has coverage of the race.

Let’s look closely at the contenders.

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Two Horses Are Proven at the Grade 1 Level

In a wide open affair, how do you distinguish between the entrants? Two horses have experienced success at the highest level. Proxy won November’s Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs, and Stilleto Boy took March’s G1 Santa Anita Handicap in Southern California.

Proxy and Stilleto Boy, along with Last Samaurai faced off on April 22 in the Oaklawn Handicap.

Going a mile-and-an-eighth, the same distance as the Foster, Proxy rallied from fifth to win despite going wide. Stilleto Boy beat Proxy by a neck in March out west when they traveled a-mile-and-a-quarter. Proxy typically comes from behind, while Stilleto Boy usually positions himself near the front. In the Oaklawn Handicap, horses were permitted to race while using the anti-bleeding drug lasix. At Santa Anita in the Spring lasix were not allowed, and they are a no go in Kentucky on Saturday.

Stephen Foster Stakes Contenders

Smile Happy and West Will Power both have a pair of grade 2 victories on their resumes. Smile Happy is coming off a career best effort, when he beat West Will Power, and Last Samurai going a mile-and-a-sixteenth in Louisville.

Smile Happy has run three times as four year old, and produced two of his best career efforts. This will be the top competition he has faced aside from last year’s Kentucky Derby, when he finished eighth.

West Will Power dominated a solid group of horses in March’s New Orleans Handicap. Before that race he had most recently finished second behind Last Samurai to open 2023, and second to Proxy closing out 2022.

There are No tosses on Saturday

You can’t really eliminate any of the horses as viable win candidates. Speed Bias has been second in three straight races, two against horses in this event. He is aptly named, as he would prefer to be on the lead. If he were an unchallenged leader, could anyone run him down?

Last Samurai has normally been behind these rivals, but not far off, and beat West Will Power in February, while finishing ahead of Stilleto Boy in April. A fair pace, where he can get first run on the closers and sit just off the leaders would be his potential road to victory.

Rattle N Roll, the stablemate of Smile Happy for trainer Kenny McPeek, is an improving four year old. He has won three straight Grade 3 races. He beat Happy American earlier this month, and Speed Bias in May. He’ll be rallying late and hoping the tactics work against the best field he has faced.

Happy American won back-to-back races bridging the end of last year and start of this one. Those were against slightly lesser competition. He has lost to horses in this event in three straight events. Happy American needs a very fast tempo that tests the speed horses and sets up his late run.

Stephen Foster Stakes Prediction

The horses are really close in terms of ability and resume but with no significant favorite, this is all about picking the most likely winner. That is Smile Happy, who may be over bet based on his most recent race, but clearly has upside as a four year old running against primarily against older horses who aren’t going to get dramatically better. Because there are several speed horses, Smile Happy may sit a perfect trip, just off the leaders, but getting first run on the deep closers.

Alternatively, Stilleto Boy at +600 offers value. His top races are as good as anyone in the field, his win two races ago is among the best anyone in the field has, and he was very competitive with Proxy and Last Samurai in April.

Stephen Foster Picks: Smile Happy (+300)

The post Stephen Foster Stakes Odds, Picks, Predictions: Wide Open Breeders Cup Classic Win and You’re In Race appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Ohio Derby was first run in 1876. It has changed venues and distances numerous times, but in recent memory has been run at a-mile-and-an-eighth at Thistledown near Cleveland. No trainer has won the race more than twice, but that may change on Saturday when looking at the Ohio Derby odds and contenders.

While Kentucky Derby runner up Two Phil’s is the favorite, second choice Bishops Bay is conditioned by Brad Cox. Twice in the last four years Cox has won the Ohio Derby. Let’s look carefully at this year’s full field, and consider if there is any value to be had in the wagering pools for our Ohio Derby picks.

2023 Ohio Derby Odds

Two Phil’s leads the way as a +160 favorite in the Ohio Derby odds, followed by Bishops Bay (+300) and Lord Miles (+350). The biggest Ohio Derby longshots are Last Cookie and Timesatappin at +3000.

While rain is likely leading up to the race, it should be dry with temperatures in the high 60s at post time. FanDuel TV will air the race.

The favorite has won the Ohio Derby in back-to-back years, though Dean Martini paid $31.20 on a two dollar win bet in 2020. He is the only winner to cash for more than $10 in the last seven runnings.

Let’s discuss the Ohio Derby favorite, and several interesting alternatives.

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Two Phil’s Answered Questions in Louisville

The debate surrounding Two Phil’s leading into the Kentucky Derby was whether to trust his impressive victory in March’s Jeff Ruby Steaks. He ran fast, and won easily, but the race took place on a synthetic surface. On the first Saturday in May, he more than answered that question.

Two Phil’s was one of only three horses who really impressed at Churchill Downs in the Derby. While he couldn’t hold off Mage, he held second ahead of Angel of Empire. Two Phil’s raced on a sharp pace and was the only horse who didn’t badly give way.

His last two races are outstanding. Before that, he consistently was in the money, often against good competition. However, he hadn’t beaten many of those top horses, and two of his three victories came at smaller tracks.

Can We Learn from the Preakness and Belmont?

It is really easy to get caught up in the Kentucky Derby. It is often a mistake to assume when horses return from the Run from the Roses, and face opponents who did not run in Louisville, that having run in the biggest race of the year will give them an edge.

Mage faced only new shooters at the Preakness Stakes, and he was defeated. Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire were bet heavily at the Belmont Stakes, and both lost.

Bishops Bay has only run three times. His lone loss came as the favorite in last month’s Peter Pan Stakes.

The loss to Arcangelo looks considerably better after that rival came back to win the Belmont. If you look back at Bishops Bay’s first race, he beat First Mission, who was going to be among the favorites at the Preakness Stakes before scratching. Bishops Bay is a $450,000 son of Uncle Mo trained by Cox, one of the best in the business.

Henry Q ran in that Peter Pan too. He finished a well beaten third. He has two wins in six starts, but only his romp in February’s Mine That Bird Derby would be good enough to compete in this race.

Lord Miles scratched in the Kentucky Derby after his trainer, Saffie Joseph, was banned from Churchill Downs. He has two wins in five races. His first four heats are not good enough to win this race, but his victory over Hit Show last time out, in April’s Wood Memorial represented a major step forward. A late runner, he’d appreciate a hot tempo to run into.

Hayes Strike has already run 11 times, with three victories. He has sandwiched wins at Laurel Park and Lone Star Park in stakes races around a seventh place effort against Derby horses in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Ohio Derby Prediction

If you can bet Two Phil’s at a fixed price of +160, that is pretty good value. The pari-mutuel betting and payouts number is likely to be lower when the horses break.

As good as Two Phil’s has been in his last two races, Bishops Bay is a more regally bred horse that looks even better when you consider who he has raced against. Since he has run just three times, there is a lot of upside for improvement too. He has been the favorite in every race he has run, and +300 is very tempting in the Ohio Derby odds.

Ohio Derby Picks: Bishops Bay (+300)

The post Ohio Derby Odds, Picks, Predictions: Two Phil’s Favored appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

In each of the last three years the Belmont Stakes has been won by the favorite. While payouts of $7.20, $4.60, and $3.60 on two dollar win bets beat losing, they aren’t exactly the scores we dream of. However, last year the fifty cent trifecta still managed to pay $93.75.

If we avoid a chalky result, there can be a windfall. In 2019 Sir Winston won the final leg of the Triple Crown and paid $22.40. Even with the favorite running second, a $1 exacta cashed for $48, the fifty cent tri paid $622, and a ten cent superfecta scored for $1042.80.

Belmont Stakes odds show a pretty strong lean towards Forte, Tapit Trice, and Angel of Empire. While an exacta with two of those horses won’t pay great, you can play it for more than the minimum, and a trifecta with two of them plus a long shot could do just fine. Consider the prices available on mobile horse racing betting apps, and lets formulate a plan for this year’s Belmont Stakes picks and predictions.

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Best Belmont Stakes Exotic Bets

The Kentucky Derby featured a field of 18 this year, while the Preakness Stakes had only seven, and of those two had virtually no chance. Large fields mean more combinations for all possible exotic bets, and therefore bigger payouts. Consider the difference in betting odds when there are two teams playing in the NBA Finals as opposed 16 at the start of the playoffs, or eight teams when the second round of the postseason gets rolling. There are higher prices available earlier in the playoffs because more teams are alive, whether you think they have a great chance or not.

Different types of horse racing bets require various strategies. As it pertains to exotic wagering, you need to have some conviction. What horses can you lean on, who can you toss, what favorites are vulnerable, how is the race going to be run?

The Belmont Stakes is a-mile-and-a-half marathon, longer than any of these horses has ever run before, and probably longer than they’ll run in the future. Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, and Hit Show, all most recently took part in the mile-and-a-quarter Kentucky Derby.

The Derby can be a weird race. It is the largest field of the year, and the tempo tends to be fast. In theory that sets up horses like Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice, who prefer to come from behind with a late rally. The pace was indeed fast in Louisville, and Angel of Empire came running. Tapit Trice made a much milder bid.

Belmont Stakes Exacta Picks

Forte was going to be the favorite in the Kentucky Derby but was scratched the morning of the race with a minor injury. There are reasons to be skeptical. He hasn’t run in 10 weeks and now must have enough stamina to go a marathon distance. Though his speed figures have declined recently, his Florida Derby victory over eventual Run for the Roses winner Mage looks really good, particularly since he had to come from a very bad outside post position.

The bottom line is that Forte was the best two year old last year, and what we have seen on the track this year suggests not a lot has changed. Will he like the distance? Is he fit? We’ll find out Saturday, but trainer Todd Pletcher has had more success in the Belmont than any other Triple Crown race, winning it four times including last year.

We’ll play exactas using Forte primarily, and including the other top options

• $20 Forte over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice — $40
• $10 Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Forte — $20
• $5 Forte over Red Route One, Tapit Shoes, and Hit Show — $15
• Total Wager — $75

Lots of people like to box horses. The problem with that strategy is you are saying that you like horses exactly the same amount. While Forte, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice all have reasonable chances of winning, if you like Forte more, you should bet him proportionally stronger. If Forte wins, we want to hit a decent sized ticket, that is why we play him on top of the next most likely options for more money than the second choices over our top pick. We also take our top longshots, and play them under our most likely winner, but for less money, since there is a smaller chance of those entrants hitting the board.

Belmont Stakes Trifecta Picks

We’re playing against Preakness winner National Treasure. His victory in Baltimore makes clear he can win, place, or show on Saturday, but everything went his way three weeks ago. He had no pressure early on, established the lead going slowly, pushed out his early rivals so that they had to race wide, and then strolled home, barely holding over Blazing Stevens. He has less rest than most of his rivals, and the Preakness was not a deep race.

We’re using the same horses in the trifecta as we did the exacta.

• $5 trifecta Forte over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice — $20
• $2 trifecta Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Forte, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice, over Forte, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice — $36
• $1 trifecta Forte over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, Red Route One, Tapit Shoes, and Hit Show — $10
• $0.50 trifecta Forte over Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, Red Route One, Tapit Shoes, and Hit Show, over Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, Red Route One, Tapit Shoes, and Hit Show — $12.50
• Total Wager — $78.50

Again, you need an opinion. If you like Forte best, play him as such. Then give yourself the most opportunities to hit the winning combination as possible, tiering your plays so that your money is where your mouth is.

Belmont Stakes Superfecta Picks

There is a temptation with a $0.10 minimum to play supersfectas like lottery tickets. That will not be your best longterm ROI. Be disciplined. You have a much better chance of winning an exacta or trifecta, so don’t blow your budget on supers. At the same time, don’t just box a bunch of horses unless you feel equally about them. Let’s try to win the super in the same manner we put together exacta and trifecta plays.

Why are we are using Red Route One, Tapit Shoes and Hit Show? Red Route One should like the extra distance and is being ignored in wagering because of his brutal Preakness performance. However, he has several excuses and should run better Saturday at a big price. Tapit Shoes, like Tapit Trice, is the son of Tapit. Tapit’s offspring have a terrific recent record in the Belmont Stakes. Hit Show ran in the Kentucky Derby. We much prefer him to the Derby runners we are not using, he was legitimate despite a bad post in Louisville, and has done his best running in New York. Horses who run in the Derby and Belmont but skip the Preakness have had recent success.

• $1 superfecta Forte over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Red Route One, Tapit Shoes and Hit Show — $12
• $0.50 superfecta Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice over Forte, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice, over Forte, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice, over Red Route One, Tapit Shoes and Hit Show — $27
• $0.10 superfecta Forte over Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice, over Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, Red Route One, Tapit Shoes, and Hit Show over Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, Red Route One, Tapit Shoes and Hit Show — $5
• Total Wager — $44

Belmont Stakes Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta Picks

There is a push and pull on Belmont Stakes exotic bets. You want to cover a lot of combinations, but each one should be bet to your level of conviction. We like Forte best, and are playing against National Treasure. Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice are our clear second choices. If our handicapping is right, hopefully we hit a big one, even if it doesn’t pay huge for the minimum bets. That’s why we play our favorite tickets for the most money, even if favorites win, you can hit multiple times. Of course, the handicapping has to be on point. Good luck in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

The post Belmont Stakes Exotic Bets – Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Forte was going to be the Kentucky Derby favorite until he was scratched by the Churchill Downs veterinarian with a minor injury on the first Saturday in May. He makes his Triple Crown debut in the Belmont Stakes and will be the favorite. Whether you like Forte, who has the best resume among three-year-olds, or think his 10-week gap between races is too long to now try and win going the marathon distance of a mile-and-a-half, you should also be considering who will finish second and third.

Last year Mo Donegal paid $7.20 on a two-dollar win bet at the Belmont Stakes, while Nest cashed for $5.30 to place, and Skippylongstocking rewarded backers $5.60 to show. Since betting to place means you get paid if your horse finishes first or second, and a show bet is first, second or third, betting underneath was pretty profitable considering the safety net in 2022.

Over the last decade, we have seen a winning payout of over $30, three winners cash for more than $20, a $23 place horse, and a $13 show price. Belmont Stakes odds give you a pretty good idea of who will pay well, and who won’t, even underneath. Let’s fire up your Horse racing betting apps, and consider how to attack The Test of the Champion.

Belmont Stakes Best Bets for 2023

Forte is the favorite for a winning bet in the Belmont Stakes odds, with Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice getting plenty of support too. While the win pool gets all the attention, place and show are worthwhile wagers too.

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Once you get used to it, how to bet on horse racing isn’t difficult. The best Belmont Stakes predictions are in the eye of the beholder, but let’s consider several options.

The favorite failed to win the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes this year. In horse racing, favorites generally win about one-third of the time. However, over the years the Belmont Stakes has been chalky. Sixty-six of 154 runnings have gone to the favorite, including each of the last three years.

Best Belmont Stakes Win Bet

What are you looking for?

Forte has the best resume but hasn’t run in a long time, and his last couple of races have not been as impressive as his work as a two-year-old. That said, he beat Mage twice in Florida this year, and that rival went on to win the Kentucky Derby.

Angel of Empire was one of only two horses to really give Mage a run for his money on the first Saturday in May. He also appears like a horse who will enjoy more distance.

Tapit’s offspring have won the Belmont Stakes four times. Tapit Trice, who does not possess much early speed, has always looked like a horse that might be more suited for this race than any other Triple Crown event. He ran okay, finishing seventh, beaten by more than nine lengths in Louisville. His late kick helped win the Blue Grass Stakes.

Best Belmont Stakes Place Bet

Obviously, the top win candidates can finish second too. But what about Preakness winner National Treasure?

National Treasure had everything his way in Baltimore. First Mission scratched the day before the race, and that left no other speed in the race. National Treasure got to the front, made a couple of candidates run wide, slowed down the tempo, and had gas in the tank down the stretch to hold off Blazing Sevens.

Could the same thing happen again? The top contenders are not exactly speed horses. However, several of the other entrants have a little early pop. While National Treasure just ran three weeks ago, many others have had more rest. That said, three weeks has proven to be enough time on more than one occasion. In addition to 12 Triple Crown winners, 18 times a horse has won the second and third legs of the Triple Crown.

If we’re looking for a bigger price, what about new blood? Arcangelo and Tapit Shoes are making their Triple Crown debuts. Arcangelo took Belmont Park’s Peter Pan Stakes four weeks ago and is riding a two-race winning streak. Six Peter Pan winners have taken the Belmont. Tapit Shoes, another son of Tapit, has only a single victory. He was a close second to Red Route One on April 22 in the Bath House Row Stakes. That was his best career effort and trainer Brad Cox won the Belmont two years ago.

Best Belmont Stakes Show Bet

Red Route One is going to be downgraded because of his poor performance in the Preakness. Everything went wrong three weeks ago when he got bumped coming out of the gate and had no pace. He has consistently faced top competition and should like the long stretch at Belmont Park. He made up 18 lengths but was still one shy of winning February’s Rebel Stakes against several Derby runners.

Belmont Stakes Best Bets for 2023

The top three contenders are all very reasonable. Forte has stood out from this crop of three-year-olds and now finally gets his opportunity. Angel of Empire ran the best of the Derby horses who are running at the Belmont. Tapit Trice has always seemed like a horse who will do his best in this race.

On the flip side, Forte hasn’t run in months, so how could he be ready for 12 furlongs? Angel of Empire ran his race in Louisville and it wasn’t good enough. Tapit Trice was disappointing last time out.

It might be stubborn to say this, but if you liked Forte five weeks ago, what has changed your mind now? He was the best of this crop last year, and twice beat Mage, the last time overcoming a terrible wide post position. Ten weeks before a mile-and-a-half race is not ideal, but Todd Pletcher – who also trains Tapit Trice – has won the Belmont four times.

Going back and watching the Derby over and over again, Angel of Empire runs big. Sure, he gets a relatively easy trip, but coming wide off the second turn he is rolling down the stretch. How can you not be impressed by that? At the same time, Tapit Trice doesn’t make up all that much ground despite getting his preferred quick tempo. He probably will run better Saturday, but what happened in Louisville?

Red Route One should be rallying late. Maybe Tapit Trice is better, but Red Route One has more excuses for his last race than Tapit Trice does. It will be fun watching them try to make up ground, and at a bigger price, we’ll try to get Red Route One home.

Here are our top win, place, and show Belmont Stakes handicapper picks.

• Win: Forte (+200)
• Place: Angel of Empire (+120)
• Show: Red Route One (+310)

The post Belmont Stakes Best Bets: Win, Place & Show Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Belmont Stakes undercard is a bonanza of high-end racing. Many of the sport’s biggest stars will be in action prior to Saturday’s main event. From a handicapping perspective, our Belmont Park picks are a mix of favorites that feel dependable, and longer shots that hopefully can cash for a good number.

It is really easy to focus all of your attention on the Belmont Stakes, particularly this year, with a compelling field and on the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s triumph. The more time people spend on the big race, the less time they are focused on making money on the outstanding undercard.

Login to your preferred online horse racing betting apps, and let’s break down the Belmont Stakes card.

Belmont Stakes Undercard Picks

The stakes excitement begins at 12:29 pm EST with Fox Sports 1 televising the early races until Fox begins coverage at 4pm. With a full card to consider, different races may call for varying strategies. Knowing, understanding, and utilizing many types of horse racing bets gives you the best opportunity to pick and choose and give yourself a good chance to profit. Let’s look through the races and find the best bets for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes undercard.

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True North Prediction

This six-and-a-half furlong sprint on the main track for older boys feels like a two-horse race. Breeders Cup Sprint winner Elite Power (-125) started his career with three ho-hum performances, and since has won six straight. His only race this year was an easy victory over strong competition in Saudi Arabia. Horses often struggle in their first race back from the Middle East, but that win was in February, so there has been ample time to recover.

Strobe (+200) beat Elite Power on the 2022 Kentucky Derby undercard. That was Elite Power’s last loss, and Strobe’s first-ever race. Strobe has four wins in six starts, but his stakes debut didn’t go great. He finished second on April 15 against Grade 3 foes at Oaklawn Park. That said, the winner, Skelly, has proven to be a monster, and third-place finisher Tejano Twist is pretty accomplished too.

Anarchist (+1000) is in good form and coming off his quickest race. The improving four-year-old has run well on dirt, but his best recent efforts are on turf and a synthetic course.

True North Picks: Strobe (+200)

Poker Prediction

A one-turn, one-mile turf challenge for older boys begs the question, can anybody beat Chez Pierre (+100)? He beat Breeders Cup winner Modern Games in a Grade 1 at Keeneland in April and has lost just once in seven tries. Chez Pierre is three for three going a mile.

Emmanuel (+450) beat Chez Pierre at Tampa Bay Downs in February. However, that race was an extra sixteenth of a mile, and since then Emmanuel was no match for the favorite in Lexington. On the Preakness Stakes undercard, Emmanuel finished a close third going a mile and an eighth.

Emaraaty (+600) hasn’t run since September, but his mile-and-a-sixteenth score at Saratoga was a career-best. An eight-year-old, he has never beaten this quality of horse and has failed in two tries at Belmont Park.

Poker Picks: Chez Pierre (+100)

Brooklyn Prediction

Like the Belmont Stakes, this is a mile-and-a-half dirt race. The Brooklyn is for older boys, and there is no clear favorite. Warrant (+250) beat several of these rivals at Churchill Downs going the same distance early on Derby week. He also lost to a couple of these rivals in a marathon at Oaklawn Park in April. Warrant finished second in this event last year.

Next (+300) was the favorite, but lost to Warrant last time out. Prior to a four-month rest, he won huge going even further at Keeneland against Grade 2 foes. A former claimer, only his final two races of 2022 would compete well with this group.

Lightly raced Bright Future (+400) is stepping up in competition. He has two wins in four starts, and has run fast, but has never gone beyond a mile, and is making his stakes debut.

Lone Rock (+600) is eight years old but has won going this distance five times, three more than the rest of the field combined. He won this race by 11 lengths in 2021 and finished third last year. He was not competitive against Warrant and Red Run (+600) last time out. His seasonal debut was a second-place effort behind Calibrate (+1000).

Red Run has consistently been in the mix but has two wins in 15 starts. Calibrate was +3030 when he beat Lone Rock, and then got run off the track by Warrant and others on May 3.

Brooklyn Picks: Lone Rock (+600)

Ogden Phipps Prediction

Four of six horses in this one-turn mile-and-a-sixteenth dirt challenge are grade one winners. These are among the best older female horses in the country. The Breeders Cup Distaff was perhaps the best race all of last year, with a thrilling finish and high-end horses.

Clairiere (+120) just missed, falling to Malathaat, a winner among winners. Clairiere finished second behind Secret Oath (+200) in March and then avenged that loss by coming out of nowhere to beat last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner in Oaklawn’s Apple Blossom Handicap.

Secret Oath has just a single victory in eight races since the Oaks and wasn’t close in the Breeders Cup. That said, her three races this year are all very strong, a win and two very tight seconds.

Played Hard (+600) beat Secret Oath on this year’s Kentucky Oaks undercard. She has won four of her last five races with the May score the best of her career.

Search Results (+400) is two-for-three at Belmont Park and was third, less than a length behind Played Hard at Churchill Downs last month. She was third, behind Clairiere, in this race last year.

Pass the Champagne (+800) has not faced this level of competition, but is coming off her best career race. The horse she beat by more than five lengths at Belmont in May returned to finish a tight second last weekend in a high-end race in Louisville.

Ogden Phipps Picks: Clairiere (+120)

Woody Stephens Prediction

There are a decent number of options in this seven-furlong Grade 1 dirt event for three-year-olds, but most of the attention will be centered on General Jim (+350) and Arabian Lion (+400). General Jim beat several of these rivals on the Derby undercard, while Arabian Lion crushed a lesser field a few hours before the Preakness Stakes three weeks ago in Baltimore. General Jim is an $850,000 son of Into Mischief who has four wins in seven starts. His last race is by far his best. Arabian Lion is a $600,000 son of Triple Crown winner Justify trained by Bob Baffert. He ran a close second in the Lexington Stakes in April before his romp at Pimlico.

Harrodsburg (+1200) and Federal Judge (+800) have both only run twice but showed significant potential. They are stepping up in class for high percentage barns.

Victory Formation (+1000) has faced tough competition and even beat Angel of Empire back in January. He has three wins in five starts and is cutting back from longer races. He was a tight third behind Belmont challengers Tapit Shoes and Red Route One in April.

Baffert also has Fort Bragg (+500). He finished just behind General Jim and well ahead of Gilmore (+1200) in the Pat Day Mile. Fort Bragg has mostly faced good horses, with inconsistent results. Gilmore had to go very wide last time out, and has just one victory, but top rider Irad Ortiz takes the mount.

Woody Stephens Picks: Arabian Lion (+400)

Jaipur Prediction

Casa Creed (+450) has won this six-furlong turf sprint for older horses each of the last two years. He is three for four at Belmont Park and has made over $2 million, winning seven of 30 career races. Casa Creed has run once this year, in Saudi Arabia, and finished a tight second in a lucrative group two event.

Caravel (+300) is the rare female horse who has more than held her own against the boys. She has won four straight, two against males, and has beaten several of the rivals signed up to face her in this one. Her last five wins have all come going five-and-a-half-furlongs, and while it doesn’t seem like a problem, the plan was for her to go to Europe and compete at Royal Ascot, but for whatever reason the itinerary changed.

Arrest Me Red (+600) lost to Caravel in the Breeders Cup last year, and at Keeneland in April. He was the favorite on the Derby undercard but finished a well-beaten fifth. Casa Creed beat him by half a length in this race last year.

Big Invasion (+600) was behind Arrest Me Red on the first Saturday in May but had trouble down the stretch. He has seven wins in 10 starts but has not beaten this caliber of competition.

Jaipur Picks: Caravel (+300)

Metropolitan Prediction

The $1 million one-turn Grade 1 Met Mile is a whale of a race with a clear-cut and reasonable favorite. Breeders Cup Dirt Mile champ Cody’s Wish (+140) has won five straight including taking the Churchill Downs Handicap on the Derby undercard.

Cody’s Wish has not only been winning but doing so against strong competition in dominant fashion. That said, this might be the best field he has ever faced.

Zandon (+500) never seems to win but still pocketed $1.5 million in 10 career races. He finished third in last year’s Kentucky Derby and has hit the board in four of five races since. That said, he hasn’t been that close to winning any of them and lost to Repo Rocks (+400) by five lengths last month at Belmont. Repo Rocks has been terrific against lesser competition over the last eight months or so, winning five of six races since moving into Jamie Ness’s barn.

Charge It (+600) was a non-factor in the 2022 Derby, but responded to win his only career start at Belmont Park by 23 lengths. He took off the second half of last year and has just one victory in three starts this season. That said, he clipped heels down the stretch in his most recent race, and like Zandon has a ton of potential. Because they are facing Cody’s Wish, the price is tempting.

White Abarrio (+1000) was nowhere to be seen in the Derby last year and then lost six races in a row before a career-best victory at Gulfstream Park in March. He has a new trainer now and has made $1.1 million in 12 starts. All five of his wins are in Florida.

Met Mile Picks: Charge It (+600)

Manhattan Prediction

Up to the Mark (+160) and Ottoman Fleet (+250) are likely to get the majority of the play in this mile-and-a-quarter turf test for older boys. Up to the Mark ran his best career race winning a mile-and-an-eighth Grade 1 on the Derby undercard. That came on the heels of him running third in a very high-level Grade 1 one-mile test at Keeneland. He has run on the sod four times and has three wins.

Ottoman Fleet ran on Derby Day but in Belmont’s mile-and-an-eighth Fort Marcy Stakes. The nearly two-length win, in his U.S. debut, was impressive for top European trainer Charlie Appleby. Today William Buick, Appleby’s number one jockey, makes the trip across the pond to ride. Buick was aboard Ottoman Fleet when he won a Group 3 event in Great Britain in April.

While Ottoman Fleet beat Warren Point (+500) in Great Britain in September, Warren Point was actually the favorite. Also trained by Appleby, Warren Point is four for five at this distance. He made his North American debut a month ago, and finished fifth, giving way in the last eighth or a mile in a mile-and-three-eighths Grade 1 event at Belmont. Red Knight (+800) and Soldier Rising (+1200) beat him that day. That said, they both seem to prefer longer distances.

Manhattan Picks: Ottoman Fleet (+250)

The post Belmont Park Odds & Picks – 2023 Belmont Stakes Undercard appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

With over a century-and-a-half of history, the Belmont Stakes has seen a bit of everything. It was 50 years ago that Secretariat ran what is largely regarded as the greatest race of all time, paying just $2.60 on a $2 win bet when he won the Triple Crown, doing so by a margin of 31 lengths.

Last year Mo Donegal paid $7.20, but you only have to look back to 2019 to find Sir Winston cashing for $22.40, and in 2016 Creator scored and paid $34.80.

The latest Belmont Stakes odds suggest the betting public will be focused on Forte, who was going to be the Kentucky Derby favorite but scratched with a minor injury, Angel of Empire, who became the Derby favorite and ran third, and Tapit Trice, the second choice in Louisville who finished seventh. Preakness winner National Treasure will also get plenty of attention. But what about the other five horses? Who can pull and upset?

If you are looking to break the bank, you want all the hype to be on the aforementioned group. Pari-mutuel betting in horse racing means that for every dollar bet on a favorite, the price goes up on the field. Let’s discuss which longshots are viable so that when you login to your favorite Horse racing betting apps you’re ready to roll.

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Belmont Stakes Longshots

It is hard to make a good argument for Il Miracolo. He simply has not run fast enough to compete against this field. He won his last race, against much lesser competition. The prior five attempts, against good foes, resulted in a fifth-place, three sixths, and a seventh-place performance. A win for Il Miracolo would be among the four or five biggest upsets in race history.

The rest of the field is worth a longer discussion. Not only does the group have a chance to win, but since they are viable, they can make you money in a variety of types of horse racing bets. You could use them to place or show or fill out exactas, trifectas, and superfectas.

Arcangelo and Tapit Shoes Making Triple Crown Debuts

The son of Tapit, Tapit Shoes has just a single win in five starts. His best career race by a mile came last time out, when he finished second behind Red Route one in April’s Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Four times Tapit’s prodigy has won the Belmont Stakes. That is one of the big reasons Tapit Trice is among the favorites this year. However, Tapit Shoes has gotten better in each of his races, took a major step last time out, should like the extra distance, and certainly would pay well.

Arcangelo has won back-to-back races after failing to win his first two starts. Most recently he took Belmont Park’s Peter Pan Stakes. Six horses have parlayed success in the Peter Pan into triumph in the Belmont Stakes.

Hit Show Returns from the Kentucky Derby

Angel of Empire was in the mix down the stretch in the Run for the Roses, and Tapit Trice, being the son of Tapit and getting bet seriously in Louisville, are getting most of the attention among Belmont Stakes runners who participated in the Kentucky Derby. Hit Show ran in Louisville too, and should not be dismissed on Saturday.

Hit Show was +2402 and finished fifth. Trained by top conditioner Brad Cox, arguably Hit Show’s best two races came in New York. He won February’s Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, and in April just missed in the Big A’s Wood Memorial. He has gradually gotten better, and his Derby performance was fine.

Red Route One Will Be Rolling Late

That is the same headline we used three weeks ago at the Preakness Stakes. Unfortunately for Red Route One, and those who bet on him, there was no pace to set up his late kick. He finished fourth at +800. Because he got bumped early and was rank, maybe even with a quicker tempo he would not have finished well, but the race is hard to gain a great deal of information from because of the manner in which it was run.

Red Route One has two victories in 10 starts, and between facing top rivals and running several times on off-tracks, he has competed relatively well. His Bath House Row victory was impressive, and he certainly looks like the type of horse who will enjoy the extra distance. Trainer Steve Asmussen won the Belmont with Creator, when he paid big seven years ago.

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Belmont Stakes Longshot Picks

How is the race going to be run? The Kentucky Derby was a quick tempo, and Mage was the best of the closers. The Preakness Stakes was run slowly, and National Treasure dictated terms en route to victory. There is little doubt National Treasure will try to do something similar Saturday. There should be more pace, but how much more? If you think the tempo will be moderate, maybe Hit Show can be near the pace, get first run, and pull the upset. If they move quickly early, can Red Route One be better than Tapit Trice and the other closers? If he can, the price will be right.

The post Belmont Stakes Longshot Picks – Odds for Arcangelo, Hit Show, Red Route One & More Horses Who Can Win You Big Money appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.