Saturday's Belmont Stakes Odds & Predictions

* Previously Published at Doc's Sports Service

Forte (5-2)

This Kentucky-bred colt was a 3-1 favorite for the Kentucky Derby back in May, but an injured foot caused him to scratch in that event. Forte is a 5-2 favorite for the Belmont Stakes and his 8.22 rating from Horse Racing Nation is the highest in the nine-horse field. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he won two major prep races at Gulfstream Park including the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 8. Sired by Violence, Forte should be leading the way in the stretch run of the Belmont Stakes and he will probably finish first or second at the wire. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is leading him out of the sixth gate for this race.

Percent to Win: 35%

Tapit Trice (3-1)

At 3-1 odds on the morning line, Tapit Trice is the second-favorite for the Belmont Stakes by a slim margin either up or down the list of entries. He is starting at the No. 2 gate with jockey Luis Saez getting the ride. Tapit Trice finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby in his first race in the Triple Crown series, but he won the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 8 with a speed rating of 102. Also trained by Todd Pletcher, Tapit Trice is a solid contender that could make things interesting at the wire, if the breaks go his way.

Percent to Win: 15%

Angel of Empire (7-2)

Breaking from the No. 8 gate with Flavien Prat as his jockey, Angel of Empire should get off with a clean start for this race. He finished third in the Kentucky Derby and trained for the Belmont Stakes while taking a break for the Preakness Stakes. The Pennsylvania-bred colt finished first at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby as a major prep race for the Triple Crown series and he should finish first or second in the 1 ½ miles on dirt in the Belmont Stakes.

Percent to Win: 35%

National Treasure (5-1)

After finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in the beginning of April, National Treasure bypassed the Kentucky Derby to focus on the Preakness Stake at 1 3/16 miles on dirt. The won the second leg of the 2023 Triple Crown series in 1:55.12 over Blazing Sevens and Mage. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by veteran jockey John Velazquez, National Treasure is fourth in line at 5-1 odds to win this race. Increasing both distance and grade in the Belmont Stakes, he is also surrounded by first-rate talent in the field.

Percent to Win: 5%

Hit Show (10-1)

As a live longshot at 10-1, Hit Show has drawn the No. 7 gate for the Belmont Stakes with jockey Manuel Franco on board. He finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby with a much more crowned field and bypassed the Preakness Stakes to train for this event.  The three-year-old colt placed second in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes as a prep race for the Triple Crown series. With Brad Cox as his trainer, Hit Show could be right in the middle of the lead for the stretch run of the Belmont Stakes. I have him finishing third in this race.

Percent to Win: 10%

The Belmont Stakes Bonus Pick

$50 on Angel of Empire to Win

$25 on Forte to Place

$25 on Hit Show to Show