The 2019 Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 8. The Belmont is the final Triple Crown race of the year. Preakness Stakes winner War of Will and Wood Memorial winner Tacitus should go off the favorites. Check out the latest 2019 Belmont Stakes prop odds, analysis, and free picks!
2019 Belmont Stakes Props
- When: Saturday, June 8
- Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
- TV: NBC
- Live Stream: NBCSports.com
Belmont Stakes Matchup Bets
- 2019 Belmont Stakes Prop Odds: Master Fencer -105 / Intrepid Heart -125
The Derby was an absolute mess. Master Fencer ran about as well as one might expect. A massive Derby longshot, he closed from the clouds to get up for sixth. After veering at the stretch and having to go outside and then inside, finishing sixth in the Kentucky Derby is amazing.
With that being written, Intrepid Heart is the much better pick in this matchup. The Todd Pletcher trained horse made a move in the Peter Pan, but he had been so far behind the pace, the best he could do was finish third. That was only Intrepid Heart’s third lifetime race. Not only that, but his sire, Tapit, has sired 3 of the last 5 Belmont Stakes winners.
Belmont Stakes Pick: Intrepid Heart
- 2019 Belmont Stakes Prop Odds: Tacitus -160 / War of Will +130
There’s no lack of fight in War of Will. The problem is that even after he won the Preakness it’s hard to know exactly how good he is. The Preakness was chockful of mediocre horses. In a head-to-head matchup against Tacitus, War of Will should be in some trouble.
Tacitus has run faster than War of Will. He also encountered way more trouble in the Derby early on in the race. Tacitus kept running. He never quit and ended up fourth because he didn’t quit. He’ll get a better trip in this while his jockey, Jose Ortiz, knows Belmont Park better than any jockey in the race.
Belmont Stakes Pick: Tacitus
Belmont Stakes Top Finishers – Top Bets
- Tacitus – Top 2 -150
- Tacitus – Top 3 -285
- Intrepid Heart – Top 2 +480
- Intrepid Heart – Top 3 +260
- Sir Winston – Top 3 +350
- Tax – Top 3 +350
Tacitus
The best lock prop bet for the 2019 Belmont Stakes might be to back Tacitus to finish in the Top 2 and Top 3. The odds are low on both props. Tacitus, like Intrepid Heart, was sired by Tapit. Tacitus’ trainer, Bill Mott, saddled Country House. The horse is a deserving favorite. He’s going to be tough to beat for the win money. He should be incredibly difficult to beat for the place and show money.
Intrepid Heart
The Todd Pletcher trained horse may have ran third in the Peter Pan Stakes as the even money favorite, but he still ran faster in the Peter pan than he had in his two previous races. Intrepid Heart improved in a race he lost. If he takes another jump forward, he can win the Belmont. He’s offering excellent odds to finish in the Top 2 or the Top 3.
Sir Winston
Many feel Everfast and Bourbon War are better closers than Sir Winston. Not so. Sir Winston closed at 1 1/8 miles against a loose on lead quality runner in the Peter Pan Stakes. That was impressive. Why back Sir Winston to finish in the Top 3? Closers don’t always win the Belmont because they’ve got to make up a ton of ground. The safe bet is on Sir Winston to finish no worse than third.
Tax
If you don’t like Sir Winston, how about backing Tax to finish in the Top 3 at the same odds? This is a great prep. Tax usually likes to run closer than the pace. Because he was stuck inside in the Derby, he struggled to find any room. His sire, Arch, could run all day. His grandsire, Giant’s Causeway, could run all day. If he gets a good position early, a few lengths off the speed, he could win. The safe bet is backing him to finish at least third on Saturday.
