2016 Belmont Stakes Morning Line Odds

There is always a decent level of excitement in the week leading up to a Triple Crown race, but the buzz tends to reach fever pitch once the post positions have been drawn, and the morning line odds released. We now know what to expect for the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, in New York on Saturday, and we can now start thinking about how we are going to translate these betting odds into winning tickets. It’s actually a bigger field than expected, as the 8 definite have been joined by 5 more to create a field of 13 horses for the big race. Let’s take a look at their morning line odds, and let’s do so by putting them in their post position order.

Morning Line odds for the 148th Running of the #BelmontStakes presented by NYRA Bets! pic.twitter.com/emyifWoQ0x

— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 8, 2016

Let’s Analyse the 2016 Belmont Stakes Official Morning Line Odds

1. Governor Malibu (12-1)

This NY-bred horse looks to be in over his head with this batch, but he has been improving, and may find a way to rise to the occasion on his home turf.

2. Destin (6-1)

The Tampa Bay Derby winner entered the Kentucky Derby after a 6-week layoff, and you have to think that affected his performance a little. He should be fresh and ready to tackle the grueling mile and a half of the Belmont.

3. Cherry Wine (8-1)

Finishing second behind Exaggerator at the Preakness has seen the stock of this horse rise, but he is not likely to get the same combination of an off track and early speed in this race.

4. Suddenbreakingnews (10-1)

Will the addition of celebrated jockey Mike Smith in the irons make a difference for this horse? You have to think it will, and that makes him a legitimate threat here.

5. Stradivari (5-1)

This may only be his 5th lifetime start, but he seems to be getting more confident with every race. In my mind, he is the main threat to Exaggerator.

6. Gettysburg (30-1)

His last big race came at the Arkansas Derby, where he finished 5th behind the likes of Suddenbreakingnews and Creator, both of whom feature in this race.

7. Seeking the Soul (30-1)

Follow the live odds and you will likely find this one at the bottom of the pack once the race goes off. Likely to be nothing more than a horse that sets the pace.

8. Forever D’Oro (30-1)

This horse broke his maiden in his last start here at Belmont, but there is nothing to suggest that he will be able to hang with this group.

9. Trojan Nation (30-1)

A second place finisher in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial, Trojan Nation failed to impress in the Kentucky Derby, and doesn’t really look to figure in the money here.

10. Lani (20-1)

The Japanese horse still remains something of a mystery, but it has to be said that the distance of this race may be something that plays into his favor.

11. Exaggerator (9-5)

To the surprise of no-one, the Preakness winner is the clear morning line favorite for the Belmont. Not the best post draw, but one that should see him steer clear of early trouble.

12. Brody’s Cause (20-1)

It is expected that this horse will see an improvement over what he did in the Derby, and that could make him dangerous. This may well be my longshot pick of the day.

13. Creator (10-1)

This is a horse that tends to rely on a fast pace in order to be successful. If he gets it here, he may be a factor.