The 2022 Belmont Stakes is the final Triple Crown event of the season, with some of the top three-year-old thoroughbreds tackling the “Test of Champions” on the 1 ½-mile track at Belmont Park, tonight, June 11.
Belmont Stakes horses
We've taken an in-depth look at the horses running, including, analysis, and their odds to win the Belmont Stakes.
Mo Donegal
- $25 Bet Wins: $62.50
- Category: Favorite
- Jockey:Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Mo Donegal was last seen running fifth in the Kentucky Derby, overcoming a slow start from his rail draw with a solid rally. He won three of his first five starts before the Derby, including the Grade II Remsen Stakes at age two and the Grade II Wood Memorial in April. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Belmont Stakes three times (2007, 2013, and 2017), with each winner exiting a five-week layoff.
We the People
- $25 Bet Wins: $50.01
- Category: Favorite
- Jockey:Flavien Prat
- Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
We the People will try to become the first horse since A.P. Indy in 1992 to win the Grade III Peter Pan and follow it up with a win in the Grade I Belmont Stakes. We the People’s only losing effort in his four-start career came in the Grade I Arkansas Derby (seventh). In the Peter Pan, We the People was able to secure a comfortable lead on a good, sealed main track at Belmont, and drew off to win by double-digits.
Rich Strike
- $25 Bet Wins: $87.51
- Category: Contender
- Jockey:Sonny Leon
- Trainer: Eric Reed
Rich Strike skipped the Preakness to run in the Belmont Stakes, as his connections believed he needed the five weeks to run his best race following his 80-1 upset of the Kentucky Derby. No effort in his past performances prior to the “Run for the Roses” suggests he is even a mild threat to win the Belmont. Now it’s up to horseplayers to determine whether his Derby win was a fluke or a sign of things to come.
Creative Minister
- $25 Bet Wins: $149.95
- Category: Contender
- Jockey:Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Trainer: Ken McPeek
Creative Minister is the highest returning finisher from the 2022 Preakness Stakes, where he ran third just two weeks after dusting allowance foes at Churchill Downs. He has just four career starts under his belt, suggesting improvement is possible. The rapidly rising son of Creative Cause is trained by Ken McPeek, who won the Belmont with longshot Sarava in 2002.
Nest
- $25 Bet Wins: $199.94
- Category: Contender
- Jockey:Jose Ortiz
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Nest was last seen running second in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks five weeks ago. However, the Curlin filly has two prior graded stakes scores to boast, including a romp in the Grade I Ashland two-back. Nest is trained by Todd Pletcher, who got filly Rags to Riches into the Belmont winner’s circle in 2007.
Barber Road
- $25 Bet Wins:$249.93
- Category: Contender
- Jockey:Reylu Gutierrez
- Trainer: John Ortiz
Barber Road closed finish be sixth in the Kentucky Derby when last seen, snapping a streak of seven in-the-money finishes. He placed in the Grade III Southwest Stakes, the Grade II Rebel Stakes, and the Grade I Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park earlier this year. His late kick suggests that the 1 1/2-mile distance of the Belmont Stakes could be to his liking.
Skippylongstocking
- $25 Bet Wins: $500.01
- Category: Long shot
- Jockey:Manuel Franco
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph
Skippylongstocking finished 7 1/2 lengths behind Early Voting for fifth place at the Preakness. He was 3 1/2-lengths behind Mo Donegal when he finished third in the Wood Memorial two starts ago. Skippylongstocking has yet to prove that he can go toe-to-toe with the best of his generation, but the Belmont distance can sometimes serve as a great equalizer.
Golden Glider
- $25 Bet Wins: $500.01
- Category: Long shot
- Jockey:Dylan Davis
- Trainer: Mark Casse
Golden Glider was a distant second to We the People in the Peter Pan last time out, his first in-the-money finish in a stakes race in four tries. The Mark Casse trainee was off the board in both the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, as well as the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
Belmont Stakes field and post positions
The post positions for the 2022 Belmont Stakes were drawn on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | We the People | Flavien Prat | Rodolphe Brisset | 2/1 |
| 2 | Skippylongstocking | Manuel Franco | Saffie Joseph | 20/1 |
| 3 | Nest | Jose Ortiz | Todd Pletcher | 8/1 |
| 4 | Rich Strike | Sonny Leon | Eric Reed | 7/2 |
| 5 | Creative Minister | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Ken McPeek | 6/1 |
| 6 | Mo Donegal | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | 5/2 |
| 7 | Golden Glider | Dylan Davis | Mark Casse | 20/1 |
| 8 | Barber Road | Reylu Gutierrez | John Ortiz | 10/1 |
Printable Belmont Stakes horses list
The field and the odds are set, be sure to download our printable Belmont Stakes horses list before placing any trifectas, superfectas or outright picks.
How horses qualify for the Belmont Stakes
Qualifying for the Belmont Stakes is a little different from making the grade for the previous two Triple Crown races but still requires a thoroughbred horse to be three years old and come in at a weight of 126 pounds for colts and 121 pounds for fillies.
Belmont Stakes prep races
Horses who finished Top 3 in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are given automatic spots in the Belmont, if they choose to run. Beyond that, every horse wishing to run must pay a series of entry fees (adding up to over $100,000) and be nominated into the field, which can range from 10 to 15 horses.
Triple Crown Horses
The Belmont Stakes is known as “The Test of Champions” because it is the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown and also the longest of the three events at 1 ½ miles (12 furlongs). However, the 2022 season does not have a Triple Crown contender entering the Belmont.
Types of Belmont Stakes horses
The Belmont Stakes is selective in which type of horses compete in one of the most historic events in North American horse racing, limiting the field to three-year-old thoroughbreds.
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred horses are known for their long athletic builds and speed, making them ideal for racing. They’re sleeker and lighter than other breeds, which is ideal for the length of the Belmont Stakes, which runs 1 ½ miles (12 furlongs) – the longest of the Triple Crown events.
Age of horses
The Belmont Stakes is limited to three-year-old horses. This age of horse is ideal for racing as they have yet to fully mature and have limited races on their resume, leaving an aura of mystery, but still post fast times and exciting finishes.
Instant Replay: Belmont Stakes horses
- The Belmont Stakes is limited to three-year-old thoroughbreds.
- The Top 3 finishers from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes get automatic entry into the Belmont field
- The field for the Belmont can range in size from 10 horses to 15, depending on the number of qualified entries.
- The Belmont Stakes presents the longest Triple Crown race to horses at 1 ½ miles (12 furlongs), favoring horse with endurance and calculated strategies.
Belmont Stakes horses FAQs
Essential Quality won the 2021 Belmont Stakes.
Horses who finished Top 3 in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are given automatic spots in the Belmont Stakes
Mo Donegal is favored to win the 2021 Belmont Stakes at 9/4 odds.
Of the horses running at the 2022 Belmont Stakes, Rich Strike has the fasted last-out figure.
