The 2023 Belmont Stakes represents the last of three Triple Crown events this year, with some of the top three-year-old thoroughbreds tackling "The Test of the Champion" on the 1 1/2-mile track at Belmont Park. Check out our Belmont Stakes picks and predictions and Belmont Stakes trifecta, superfecta, and exacta picks before the 155th renewal of the race gets underway today on Saturday, June 10 at 7:02 p.m. ET.
2023 Belmont Stakes horses
We've taken an in-depth look at the nine horses running and their odds to win the Belmont Stakes.
Tapit Shoes
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Post Position: 1
- Odds: 20/1
Tapit Shoes might be a little light on accomplishments, but there's plenty of potential for growth on Saturday. He was second beaten just a head by Red Route One in the Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn when last seen. Being by Tapit, who has sired four Belmont winners, the distance should be right up thr alley of this Brad Cox trainee.
Tapit Trice
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Post Position: 2
- Odds: 3/1
Tapit Trice is also trying to become Tapit's fifth Belmont Stakes winner, as well as trainer Todd Pletcher's fifth winner in "The Test of the Champion." He suffered the first loss of his three-year-old season when he checked in seventh in the Kentucky Derby. He won the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland two-back.
Arcangelo
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- Jockey: Javier Castellano
- Trainer: Jena Antonucci
- Post Position: 3
- Odds: 8/1
Arcangelo was last seen prevailing in a gutsy effort in the Grade III Peter Pan at Belmont Park on May 13. The last horse to win both the local prep for the Belmont Stakes and the "Run for the Carnations" was Tonalist in 2014. The late-blooming son of Arrogate has 2023 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Javier Castellano aboard once again.
National Treasure
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- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Post Position: 4
- Odds: 5/1
National Treasure made his sixth lifetime start in the Preakness Stakes a winning one, and it was his first career stakes victory. The Bob Baffert trainee will try to sustain his momentum after an up-and-down start to his career.
Il Miracolo
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- Jockey: Marcos Meneses
- Trainer: Antonio Sano
- Post Position: 5
- Odds: 30/1
Il Miracolo means "The Miracle" in Italian, and a miracle might be what he needs to win the 2023 Belmont Stakes. He finished no better than fifth in three separate Kentucky Derby preps at Gulfstream this season, and his allowance/optional claiming victory when last seen was not a fast one.
Forte
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- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Post Position: 6
- Odds: 5/2
Forte was the morning-line favorite for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, but had to scratch due to a foot bruise less than 24 hours before the race. After hitting the state vet list, he was ineligible for the Preakness. But the reigning two-year-old champion and Grade I Florida Derby winner has worked well ahead of the Belmont for his return to the races.
Hit Show
- Jockey: Manny Franco
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Post Position: 7
- Odds: 10/1
Hit Show gave a decent account of himself in the Kentucky Derby, finishing fifth, but he worked out a fairly clean trip despite drawing the rail. He would need to run a lifetime-best to take the Belmont, but trainer Brad Cox — winner of the 2021 Belmont with Essential Quality — could make it happen.
Angel of Empire
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Post Position: 8
- Odds: 7/2
Angel of Empire was a solid third in the "Run for the Roses" behind Mage and Two Phil's, neither of whom will run in this heat. He was a dominant winner of the Arkansas Derby two-back, which explains why he went off the favorite at Churchill Downs last month.
Red Route One
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- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Post Position: 9
- Odds: 15/1
Red Route One came from well out of it to grab the win in a non-graded stakes at Oaklawn Park in April to prep for the Preakness. He finished a non-threatening fourth in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Red Route One was second in both the Grade III Southwest and the Grade II Rebel down at Oaklawn before misfiring in the Arkansas Derby earlier this year.
Belmont Stakes field and post positions
The post positions for the 2023 Belmont Stakes were drawn on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. ET.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tapit Shoes | Jose Ortiz | Brad Cox | 20/1 | +5,000 |
| 2 | Tapit Trice | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | 3/1 | +333 |
| 3 | Arcangelo | Javier Castellano | Jena Antonucci | 8/1 | +1,600 |
| 4 | National Treasure | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert | 5/1 | +500 |
| 5 | Il Miracolo | Marcos Meneses | Antonio Sano | 30/1 | +8,000 |
| 6 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | 5/2 | +200 |
| 7 | Hit Show | Manny Franco | Brad Cox | 10/1 | +1,400 |
| 8 | Angel of Empire | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox | 7/2 | +350 |
| 9 | Red Route One | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen | 15/1 | +1,400 |
Odds as of June 10, 2023.
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 $30,000) and be nominated into the field, which can hold as many as 14 horses.
Triple Crown Horses
The Belmont Stakes is known as “The Test of the Champion” because it is the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, and also the longest of the three events at 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs). However, the 2023 season does not have a Triple Crown contender entering the Belmont.
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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 1/2 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 depending on the number of qualified entries.
- The Belmont Stakes presents the longest Triple Crown race to horses at 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs), favoring horses with endurance and calculated strategies.
Belmont Stakes horses FAQs
Mo Donegal won the 2022 Belmont Stakes.
Horses who finished Top 3 in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are given automatic spots in the Belmont Stakes
Forte is favored to win the 2023 Belmont Stakes at 5/2 odds.
Of the horses running at the 2023 Belmont Stakes, Forte is the fastest by last-out speed figures.
