We are only a few days away from the 2023 Belmont Stakes, and everyone is getting more excited. At this moment, the official contenders of the race have been named, and the predictions are still coming.
Before you start choosing a horse, you’ll be rooting for this year’s race. You must first check out the official contenders, the possible post positions, and the expert predictions and consider these factors when picking a horse.
2023 Belmont Stakes Contenders
The 2023 Belmont Stakes race is star-studded as most of the horses that bettors, fans, and experts are watching out for are participating. Below, you can check out the complete list of thoroughbreds running on June 10.
Angel Of Empire
The first one on the list is Angel of Empire. He won the 2023 Arkansas Derby and the Risen Star this year. Brad Cox trains him and is the third favorite since the first leg of the Triple Crown.
Hit Show
Another Brad Cox horse enters the 2023 Belmont Stakes race, also the winner of the Withers 2023 and the second placer of this year’s Wood Memorial race. He also finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby.
Tapit Trice
Tapit Trice is a name that is among the favorite Belmont contenders. He is trained by Todd Pletcher, who helped him win the Blue Grass Stakes and the Tampa Bay Derby.
Raise Cain
Raise Cain is the fourth horse that will participate in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. He won the 2023 Gotham Stakes and finished fifth on the Blue Grass Stakes this year.
Sun Thunder
The fifth contender of the 2023 Belmont Stakes is the Risen Star runner-up Sun Thunder. He finished fourth on the Blue Grass, fifth on the Louisiana Derby, and eleventh on the Kentucky Derby.
Reincarnate
The Sham Stakes winner Reincarnate decided to join the 2023 Belmont Stakes carrying with him the experience of the Derby prep races and the Kentucky Derby race itself.
Kingsbarns
This next Belmont Stakes contender Kingsbarns is one of the longshot horses during the Kentucky Derby. He won three straight races that earned him the attention of many bettors and experts.
National Treasure
Even though National Treasure didn’t get the chance to run the Kentucky Derby, he showed the world that he was a champion when he won the Preakness Stakes.
Red Route One
The next runner for this year’s Belmont Stakes is the Bath House Row S. winner and the fourth runner-up in the Preakness Stakes.
Forte
Forte, the Kentucky Derby heavy favorite, has also decided to participate in the Belmont Stakes. However, his health is a huge question since he was scratched out from the Kentucky Derby and wasn’t allowed to race the Preakness Stakes due to a foot injury.
Arcangelo
This next contender might not ring a bell, but Arcangelo is a late bloomer who won his third MSW and Peter Pan races.
Arabian Lion
This other Bob Baffert horse will also try his luck on the third leg of the Triple Crown this year. He was the runner of the Lexington and the winner of the Sir Barton race.
Prove Worthy
Last but not least is Prove Worthy. He is another contender that you might not hear of and have seen in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, but he is now participating in the third. He won his third MSW race and hasn’t raced in other races.
Tapit Shoes
Tapit Shoes is another Brad Cox contender that made it to the official contenders of the 2023 Belmont Stakes. He was the runner-up of the 2023 Bath House Row and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.
The 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, decided to skip the Belmont Stakes this year even though he finished third in the Preakness Stakes. There will be no Triple Crown winner this year, yet the Belmont Stakes will still be an exciting race to watch.
Predictions of 203 Belmont Stakes
The 2023 Belmont Stakes predictions are centered on three contenders: Forte, Tapit Trice, and Angel of Empire. These three are the favorites of the race and were the most watched-out contenders even before they declared participation.
Forte is the early and heavy favorite of the 2023 Kentucky Derby but hasn’t shown his skills on the racecourse as he was scratched out of the race on the morning of the derby. This decision was made due to an injury on his foot.
It was a hard decision to make, but it must be done to ensure the safety of the thoroughbred. He wasn’t even allowed to run on the Preakness Stakes as he was on the vet list and wasn’t allowed to race.
Although Forte was showing an amazing racing history and was the heavy favorite of the Triple Crown first leg, experts are now doubting his capability to win the Belmont Stakes due to his injury.
Tapit Trice is also questionable for experts, even though he is one of the race’s favorites. The reason behind the doubt surrounding Tapit Trice is due to the fact that he was among the biggest disappointments at the Kentucky Derby.
Lastly, experts have high hopes for this contender when it comes to Angel of Empire. He is even the first pick of most. He is the ideal horse to bet on among the three favorites and can potentially win the race.
Post Positions Of The 2023 Belmont Stakes Contenders
The post position for the 2023 Belmont Stakes has been drawn, and the following is the result:
Post Position 1: Tapit Shoes (20-1)
Post Position 2: Tapit Trice (3-1)
Post Position 3: Arcangelo (8-1)
Post Position 4: National Treasure (5-1)
Post Position 5: Il Miracolo (30-1)
Post Position 6: Forte (5-2)
Post Position 7: Hit Show (10-1)
Post Position 8: Angel of Empire (7-2)
Post Position 9: Red Route One (15-1)
Bottomline
We are nearing the 2023 Belmont Stakes, and many fans are now at the edge of their seats. If you plan to bet for this year’s Belmont Stakes, the information provided above could help you decide which horse you will spend your money on.
