The third online horse betting leg of the Triple Crown is right around the corner. The ‘Test of the Champion’ will be held this upcoming month, on the second Saturday in June. With both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes well behind us, sports betting international fans can begin to shift their entire focus onto the Belmont Stakes.
149th Belmont Stakes –Sunday, June 10th
When: Broadcast starts at 5 pm ET
Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York
TV: NBC
Stream: NBC Sports
Purse: $1.5 million
Distance: 1 ½ miles (12 Furlongs; 2,414 m)
Post Time: Approx. 6:45 pm ET
Record: Secretariat 2:24 (1973)
Some racebook punters have been complaining about this year’s Belmont Stakes, since Always Dreaming, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, and Cloud Computing, winner of this year’s Preakness Stakes, have both been declared out for the final leg of the Triple Crown. Some punters feel that this has stifled the competition. And while that may or may not be true, one thing that is for certain is that Classic Empire, the 2016 Juvenile Champion, will enter as the odds on favorite. However, since Classic Empire is coming off a loss in the Middle Jewel, it does not seem like the other competition is too fearful of the colt. Let’s take an early look at the online horse betting odds punters can expect t this year’s Belmont Stakes.
Classic Empire (3-2 Odds)
Classic Empire was the best juvenile in the country last year, but he hasn’t been able to translate 2016’s success in either of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Classic Empire finished fourth despite a pitiful performance at Churchill Downs. If the colt manages to run his 4th premier race in a two-month span, there won’t be any question that the Mark Casse trained champion will be the horse to beat.
Lookin At Lee (6-1 Odds)
Despite his eye-catching roots, the son of two-time champion Lookin at Lucky has not won a single event in each of his last 8 starts. But despite the lack of results, Lookin at Lee has looked strong in each of those events, including a second-place finish at the Kentucky Derby. Maybe the 12 furlongs will finally be the right distance for the steed.
Irish War Cry (8-1)
Irish War Cry managed to win both of his first two starts at Laurel Park. But since then, the son of two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin, has been inconsistent at best. A couple of impressive victories at Holy Bull and Wood Memorial are heavily contrasted by lackluster finished in the Fountain of Youth as well as the Kentucky Derby. Nevertheless, if Irish Wary Cry bring his A-game he will indubitably be a valid threat.
Tapwrit (10-1)
Tapwrit managed to come away with the Tampa Bay Derby but performed rather poorly at the Kentucky Derby, finishing sixth overall. However, the fact that Tapwrit skipped out on the Preakness means that online horse betting punters can expect a fresh, eager colt at the Belmont Stakes.
