2025 Belmont Stakes betting guide

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Every year in June, horses thunder down “the Championship Track” at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY.

The Belmont Stakes is a Grade 1 race of 1.5 miles (or 12 furlongs). It is also the third jewel in the glittering Triple Crown series. In fact, the Belmont Stakes is the final test for competitors going for the coveted Triple Crown.

The Stakes’ run date is normally either the first or second Saturday in June, which is five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes.

The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes is June 7, 2025.

The Belmont Stakes is the final “Test of the Champion” that has had many legendary horses run on its historic track over the years. Nearly every American champion horse in the history of US racing has competed on the legendary Belmont Track.

In the tradition of the names for its Triple Crown predecessors, the Belmont Stakes is also known as “the Run for the Carnations,” following the Kentucky Derby’s roses and the Preakness Stakes’ black-eyed Susans.

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2025 Belmont Stakes odds

The Belmont Stakes is the most grueling horse race of all the Triple Crown races. For that reason, you can expect the betting field to be fierce. Helping you make heads or tails of what’s happening, make sure you check out what’s below before you place a bet.

Here’s a look at this year’s early odds:

PostHorseTrainerJockeyCurrent Odds
1Hill RoadChad Brown Irad Ortiz Jr. 10-1
2 Sovereignty Bill Mott Junior Alvarado 2-1
3 RodriguezBob Baffert Mike Smith 6-1
4UncagedTodd Pletcher Luis Saez 30-1
5Crudo Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 15-1
6 Baeza John ShirreffsFlavien Prat 4-1
7JournalismMichael McCarthy Umberto Rispoli 8-5
8Heart of HonorJamie Osborne Saffie Osborne 30-1

Belmont Stakes traditions

The Belmont Stakes is known to be the most difficult of the Triple Crown races.

The winning horse of the Belmont Stakes is draped with a blanket of white carnations upon victory. The “blanket” is approximately 700 carnations and weighs around 40 pounds. The carnations are imported from Columbia.

Also, the winner is presented with the famous trophy designed by Paulding Farnham and Tiffany & Co.

The Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes have traditions more or less set in stone. The Belmont Stakes, on the other hand, is a little more lax when it comes to fanfare.

The post-parade song for the race was “Sidewalks of New York” until 1996. The following year, it was “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra.

In 2010, the parade song was changed once again, this time to Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” which was not well-received, and so “New York, New York” made a comeback.

No race in the Triple Crown has a more modern feel than the Belmont Stakes. However, don’t let the 21st-century edge of this race fool you. The race is as grueling as it gets.

How to bet on the Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is a big deal, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It might not be quite as prominent as the Kentucky Derby, but it’s no less action-packed. With a race as big as this one, there are several ways to get in on the action.

Here’s how you can lay down a wager on the most challenging race in the Triple Crown:

Online betting

Since horses were domesticated, humans have raced and placed bets on horse races.

The tradition and culture of horse racing have ancient roots, and major racing events are in almost every part of the world. The US boasts a rich history of horse racing, with the Triple Crown series being the oldest sporting event in the country’s history.

In 41 states, online betting on horse racing is legal, while betting at a racetrack is legal in all states.

FanDuel Racing is our top choice for making bets on the Belmont. With an easy-to-understand interface and enticing welcome bonus, FanDuel Racing has all you’ll need to get in on the action this year.

Betting at a teller

The most traditional way to bet the Belmont is at a teller window.

Newcomers may be self-conscious or take too long to place a bet; however, there’s an easy way around this. When you’re placing a bet at the teller at Belmont or at another track, follow this formula so that the transaction is quick and easy.

Give the teller the following information:

  • First, the racetrack (if you’re not at the racetrack in question) and race number.
  • Then, your bet amount and what type of bet you’re wagering.
  • Lastly, the horse’s program number.

Follow that order, and you can’t go wrong when betting on the Belmont Stakes.

Most importantly, keep your bet slip safe in your pocket or hatband, as you cannot collect any winnings without it.

Off-track betting

Off-track betting (OTB) facilities are great if you can’t get to the physical track and don’t want to bet online. OTBs allow you to place your bet on your favorite horse to win, place, or show — or whatever bet you fancy — at the Belmont Stakes.

Off-track betting takes place at secure locations, no matter if you’re gearing for a big win at Belmont or just an everyday bet on a track somewhere in the world.

Types of bets at the Belmont Stakes

There are a few types of bets you can place in the Belmont Stakes and on horse racing, in general.

The three straight bets are win, place, and show.

A win bet is picking the horse that will win, a place bet is a bet on a horse to finish first or second, and the show bet is a bet on a horse to finish third or higher.

Exotic wagers can get you a bigger payout, but the chances of winning them are lower. The exotic bets are where things get interesting, as the odds can skyrocket in a flash.

Placing an exacta bet means betting on two horses to win in the correct order. A trifecta bet is the same wager with three horses. A superfecta bet is betting on four horses in the correct order. The super high five bet is, you guessed it, wagering on five horses in the correct order. That one has a substantial payout but is very hard to hit.

There is a world of bets beyond this that a little research will uncover.

Racing at Belmont

Belmont Park, home of the Belmont Stakes, hosts a dirt track that measures 1.5 miles. The race is precisely one lap around the track.

It is also one of the fairest tracks, although the inside lane seems the most favorable. Since 2013, most of the winners of the Belmont Stakes have started in the rail position.

The Triple Crown races are a formidable test for only the best racehorses. All three legs are run over five weeks. While Belmont Park keeps its track in pristine condition, the track, nicknamed “Big Sandy,” has foiled many would-be winners, many times because the track is wet from rain.

Because Belmont is the longest track of the three Triple Crown races, it can be tiring for the horses and drives home the intensity of the race. Winning the Belmont Stakes is not an easy feat.

How to watch the Belmont Stakes

Since 2023, the Belmont Stakes is broadcast on Fox TV.  The race can also be livestreamed on the Fox Sports app.

The race can also be viewed on several subscription services, including Hulu+ Live TV and YouTube.

Coverage of the 2025 race begins at 3 p.m. ET.

History of the Belmont Stakes

The inaugural Belmont Stakes race was run in 1867. It was won by Ruthless. The horse was one of only 24 fillies that have competed in the Belmont, and one of only three ever to win it. The other two are Tanya in 1905 and Rags to Riches in 2007.

The Belmont Stakes is named for New York businessman August Belmont. His son, August Belmont Jr., built Belmont Park in 1905 in honor of his father, where the race has found its home, other than a brief time at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The three races — the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes — became known as the Triple Crown in 1930 after Gallant Fox won all three of them. The order of the races was established the next year. There have been times when the Belmont occurred before the Preakness, but it has never been run before the Derby.

The largest crowd to attend the Belmont Stakes was in 2004, when Smarty Jones was attempting to capture the Triple Crown. He was defeated by Birdstone.

Here are all the winners of the Belmont Stakes:

YearHorseJockeyTime
2024DornochLuis Saez2:01:64
2023ArcangeloJavier Castellano2:29:23
2022Mo DonegalIrad Ortiz Jr.2:28:28
2021Essential QualityLuis Saez2:27.11
2020Tiz the LawManny Franco1:46.53 (1-1/8 mile)
2019Sir WinstonJoel Rosario2:28.30
2018Justify Mike Smith2:28.18
2017TapwritJose Ortiz2:30.02
2016CreatorIrad Ortiz Jr.2:28.51
2015American Pharoah Victor Espinoza2:26.65
2014TonalistJoel Rosario2:28.52
2013Palace MaliceMike Smith2:30.70
2012Union RagsJohn Velazquez2:30.42
2011Ruler on IceJose Valdivia Jr.2:30.88
2010DrosselmeyerMike Smith2:31.57
2009Summer BirdKent Desormeaux2:27.54
2008Da'TaraAlan Garcia2:29.65
2007Rags to Riches John Velazquez2:28.74
2006JazilFernando Jara2:27.86
2005Afleet AlexJeremy Rose2:28.75
2004BirdstoneEdgar Prado2:27.50
2003Empire MakerJerry Bailey2:28.26
2002SaravaEdgar Prado2:29.71
2001Point GivenGary Stevens2:26.56
2000CommendablePat Day2:31.19
1999Lemon Drop KidJose Santos2:27.88
1998Victory GallopGary Stevens2:29.16
1997Touch GoldChris McCarron2:28.82
1996Editor's NoteRene R. Douglas2:28.96
1995Thunder GulchGary Stevens2:32.02
1994Tabasco CatPat Day2:26.82
1993Colonial AffairJulie Krone2:29.97
1992A.P. IndyEd Delahoussaye2:26.13
1991HanselJerry Bailey2:28.10
1990Go And GoMichael Kinane2:27.20
1989Easy GoerPat Day2:26.00
1988Risen StarEd Delahoussaye2:26.40
1987Bet TwiceCraig Perret2:28.20
1986Danzig ConnectionChris McCarron2:29.80
1985Creme FraicheEddie Maple2:27.00
1984SwaleLaffit Pincay Jr.2:27.20
1983Caveat2:27.80
1982Conquistador Cielo2:28.20
1981SummingGeorge Martens2:29.00
1980Temperence HillEddie Maple2:29.80
1979CoastalRuben Hernandez2:28.60
1978Affirmed Steve Cauthen2:26.80
1977Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet2:29.60
1976Bold ForbesAngel Cordero Jr.2:29.00
1975AvatarBill Shoemaker2:28.20
1974Little CurrentMiguel A. Rivera2:29.20
1973Secretariat Ron Turcotte2:24.00
1972Riva Ridge2:28.00
1971Pass CatcherWalter Blum2:30.40
1970High EchelonJohn L. Rotz2:34.00
1969Arts and LettersBraulio Baeza2:28.80
1968Stage Door JohnnyHeliodoro Gustines2:27.20
1967DamascusBill Shoemaker2:28.80
1966AmberoidWilliam Boland2:29.60
1965Hail To AllJohnny Sellers2:28.40
1964QuadrangleManuel Ycaza2:28.40
1963ChateaugayBraulio Baeza2:30.20
1962JaipurBill Shoemaker2:28.80
1961SherluckBraulio Baeza2:29.20
1960Celtic AshBill Hartack2:29.20
1959Sword DancerBill Shoemaker2:28.40
1958CavanPete Anderson2:30.20
1957Gallant ManBill Shoemaker2:26.60
1956NeedlesDavid Erb2:29.80
1955NashuaEddie Arcaro2:29.00
1954High GunEric Guerin2:30.80
1953Native Dancer2:28.60
1952One CountEddie Arcaro2:30.20
1951CounterpointDavid Gorman2:29.00
1950MiddlegroundWilliam Boland2:28.60
1949CapotTed Atkinson2:30.20
1948Citation Eddie Arcaro2:28.20
1947PhalanxRuperto Donoso2:29.40
1946Assault Warren Mehrtens2:30.80
1945PavotEddie Arcaro2:30.20
1944Bounding HomeGayle Smith2:32.20
1943Count Fleet Johnny Longden2:28.20
1942Shut OutEddie Arcaro2:29.20
1941Whirlaway 2:31.00
1940BimelechFred A. Smith2:29.60
1939JohnstownJames Stout2:29.60
1938Pasteurized2:29.40
1937War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger2:28.60
1936GranvilleJames Stout2:30.00
1935Omaha Willie Saunders2:30.60
1934Peace ChanceWayne D. Wright2:29.20
1933HurryoffMack Garner2:32.60
1932FairenoTommy Malley2:32.80
1931Twenty GrandCharley Kurtsinger2:29.60
1930Gallant Fox Earl Sande2:31.60
1929Blue LarkspurMack Garner2:32.80
1928VitoClarence Kummer2:33.20
1927Chance ShotEarl Sande2:32.40
1926CrusaderAlbert Johnson2:32.20
1925American FlagAlbert Johnson2:16.80
1924Mad PlayEarl Sande2:18.80
1923Zev2:19.00
1922PilloryCharles H. Miller2:18.80
1921Grey LagEarl Sande2:16.80
1920Man o' WarClarence Kummer2:14.20
1919Sir Barton Johnny Loftus2:17.40
1918JohrenFrank Robinson2:20.40
1917HourlessJames H. Butwell2:17.80
1916Friar RockEverett Haynes2:22.00
1915The FinnGeorge Byrne2:18.40
1914Luke McLukeMerritt C. Buxton2:20.00
1913Prince EugeneRoscoe Troxler2:18.00
1912N/AN/AN/A
1911N/AN/AN/A
1910SweepJames H. Butwell2:22.00
1909Joe MaddenEddie Dugan2:21.60
1908ColinJoe NotterN/A
1907Peter PanGeorge MountainN/A
1906BurgomasterLucien Lyne2:20.00
1905Tanya Gene Hildebrand2:08.00
1904DelhiGeorge M. Odom2:06.60
1903AfricanderJohn Bullman2:21.75
1902Masterman2:22.60
1901CommandoHenry Spencer2:21.00
1900IldrimNash Turner2:21.25
1899Jean BereaudRichard Clawson2:23.00
1898Bowling BrookFred Littlefield2:32.00
1897Scottish ChieftainJoe Scherrer2:23.25
1896HastingsHenry Griffin2:24.50
1895BelmarFred Taral2:11.50
1894Henry of NavarreWillie Simms1:56.50
1893Comanche1:53.25
1892PatronWilliam Hayward2:17.00
1891FoxfordEdward H. Garrison2:08.75
1890BurlingtonShelby "Pike" Barnes2:07.75
1889EricWilliam Hayward2:47.25
1888Sir DixonJim McLaughlin2:40.25
1887Hanover2:43.50
1886Inspector B2:41.00
1885TyrantPatsy Duffy2:43.00
1884PaniqueJim McLaughlin2:42.00
1883George Kinney2:42.50
1882Forester2:43.00
1881SauntererTom Costello2:47.00
1880GrenadaW. Hughes2:47.00
1879SpendthriftGeorge Evans2:42.75
1878Duke of MagentaW. Hughes2:43.50
1877CloverbrookCyrus Holloway2:46.00
1876AlgerineBilly Donohue2:40.50
1875CalvinRobert Swim2:42.25
1874SaxonGeorge Barbee2:39.50
1873SpringbokJames G. Rowe Sr.3:01.75
1872Joe Daniels2:58.25
1871Harry BassettW. Miller2:56.00
1870KingfisherEdward D. Brown2:59.50
1869FenianC. Miller3:04.25
1868General DukeRobert Swim3:02.00
1867Ruthless Gilbert Patrick3:05.00

Belmont Stakes FAQ

The 2025 Belmont Stakes is on Saturday, June 7.

While the Belmont Stakes has a maximum capacity of 16 horses, usually just half of that race each year. Because of the long length of the track (1-1/2 miles), many owners choose to opt out of the Belmont. In some years, only five or six horses have competed in the race.

The 2024 winner of the Belmont Stakes, Dornoch, collected $1.2 million, which was 60% of the $2 million purse. The second-place horse collected $360,000, and the third-place horse received $200,000.

Post time for the 2025 Belmont Stakes is 6:50 p.m. ET.

The legendary Secretariat is the fastest horse to win the Belmont on its 1-1/2-mile track. Considered the greatest thoroughbred of all time, Secretariat ran the 1973 race in 2:24 flat, outpacing the second-place horse by a staggering 31 lengths. In winning the Triple Crown that year, Secretariat also set the track records at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

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