Here's everything you need to know to bet on the 2023 Belmont in our Belmont Stakes betting preview: the latest updated Belmont Stakes odds, picks, and predictions for the Belmont winner and our other best bets on superfectas and more.
Forte, who was a scratch at the Preakness, had been the 5-2 favorite for the 2023 Belmont Stakes throughout the day on Saturday before moving to 2-1 shortly before post time. The updated Belmont Stakes odds had Angel of Empire behind Forte at 3-1, with Preakness winner National Treasure at 5-1.
But our expert pick to win the 2023 Belmont Stakes, given the latest Belmont Stakes odds, is a prediction for a horse with slightly longshot odds.
Here are the 2023 Belmont Stakes updated odds, picks and predictions for the Belmont winner and our betting preview, including our expert's full betting card for Saturday's races.
For the results of the 2023 Belmont Stakes, including our expert nailing the winner of the Belmont, head over to Belmont Stakes Order of Finish, Results, Payouts | Arcangelo Wins At 7-1 Odds.
Updated Belmont Stakes Odds, Picks, Predictions: Belmont Winner Best Bet, Latest Lines
2023 Belmont Stakes Odds
| Post | Horse | Closing Odds | Morning Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tapit Shoes | 20-1 | 20-1 |
| 2 | Tapit Trice | 5-1 | 3-1 |
| 3 | Arcangelo | 7-1 | 8-1 |
| 4 | National Treasure | 5-1 | 5-1 |
| 5 | Il Miraclo | 25-1 | 30-1 |
| 6 | Forte | 2-1 | 5-2 |
| 7 | Hit Show | 9-1 | 10-1 |
| 8 | Angel of Empire | 3-1 | 7-2 |
| 9 | Red Route One | 16-1 | 15-1 |
*Odds via TwinSpires at start of race.
2023 Belmont Stakes Pick, Best Bet to Win
The Pick: No. 3 Arcangelo (8-1) took three starts to break his maiden but came back to win the Grade 3 Peter Pan last time out here at Belmont. He’s shown significant improvement in Beyer speed figures in each of his four career starts. His stalking style will be important in a race without much pace. He’s bred for the distance on the dam’s side, with the dam’s sire being Tapit.
2023 Belmont Stakes Picks, Predictions
To win: No. 3 Arcangelo
Exacta: 3 | 6
Superfecta: 3 | 4,6,7,8 | 4,6,7,8 | 4,6,7,8
Live Contenders for 2023 Belmont Stakes Exactas, Superfectas
No. 6 Forte (5-2) was the morning line favorite in the Derby but was a vet scratch due to a foot bruise suffered earlier in the week. When he’s made it to the starting gate, he’s been extremely tough. His Florida Derby win looks even better when you consider that Mage came back to win the Kentucky Derby, three others came back to win their next starts and Fort Bragg was only beat by a neck in the Pat Day Mile.
No. 4 National Treasure (5-1) won in gate-to-wire fashion in the Preakness. He looks to be the controlling speed again in this race. The biggest question will be if he get the distance.
For more Belmont Stakes best bets, including on superfectas, longshots and other exotics, check out Belmont Stakes Best Bets: Expert Picks to Win, Superfectas, Longshots, More.
Full 2023 Belmont Stakes Betting Card
R5: Pick 3 — 1 | 2,4 | 2
R6: Pick 3 – 2,4 | 2 | 4,8,12
R7: To Win — No. 2 Search Results
R8: Pick 5 — 4,8,12 | 2,11,12 | 1 | 8 | 3,4,6,8
R8: To Win — No. 12 Gilmore
R9: To Win — No. 11 Casa Creed
R9: Pick 4 — 2,11 | 1 | 8 | 3
R11: To Win — No. 8 Up to the Mark (BEST BET OF THE DAY)
R12: To Win the Belmont Stakes — No. 3 Arcangelo
R12: Belmont Stakes Exacta — 3 | 6
R12: Belmont Stakes Superfecta – 3 | 4,6,7,8 | 4,6,7,8 | 4,6,7,8
Full Saturday Belmont Stakes Betting Card
Race 5 — Poker Stakes
Distance: 1 Mile
Surface: Dirt
Post Time: 1:44 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 1 Chez Pierre (1-1) has won three of his four starts in the States. Last time, out he beat Modern Games and Up to the Mark, both of whom came back to win their next starts. His stalking style and natural early speed suit today’s distance very well.
Race 6 — Brooklyn Invitational Stakes
Distance: 1 1/2 Miles
Surface: Dirt
Post Time: 2:22 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 2 Red Run (6-1) was claimed four back by trainer Mike Maker, who does really well claiming and stretching out to these marathon-type distances. He just missed last time out and looks to get even more pace to run into today.
Live Contenders: No. 4 Bright Future (4-1) is stepping up in graded stakes company for the first time. He’s run well in all four career starts and has been bet in each, too. He’s bred for today’s distance and has the same connections as the Belmont Stakes favorite, Forte.
Race 7 — Ogden Phipps Stakes
Distance: 1 1/16 Miles
Surface: Dirt
Post Time: 3:02 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 2 Search Results (4-1) has two wins from three starts at Belmont. She's making her second start off a six-month layoff, and trainer Chad Brown excels in these spots, winning at 34%. Her post position and stalking style both play to her advantage, and she boasts a nice local work pattern leading into this spot.
Live Contenders: No. 4 Secret Oath (2-1) is running in her first one-turn race since December of 2021. She’s never run at Belmont and has no local works. Last time out, she had every chance to go by but couldn't get it done. That said, she has one of the best middle moves, and both of her losses this year have been by a neck.
Race 8 — Woody Stephens Stakes
Distance: Seven Furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Post Time: 3:42 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 12 Gilmore (12-1) comes in off a third-place finish in the Pat Day Mile. He was forced extremely wide on the far turn in that race, which was too much for him to overcome. He will get plenty of pace to run into today and with a better trip, look for him to pick up the pieces late. His sharp work over today’s surface, plus jockey Irad Oritz Jr. staying aboard, are both very positive signs.
Live Contenders: No. 8 Fort Bragg (5-1) just couldn’t hold off General Jim last time out. He gets blinkers added today to go along with his natural early speed. Those two factors, combined with today’s cutback in distance, make him extremely dangerous in here.
No. 4 General Jim (7-2) won the Pat Day Mile last time out for his second victory in as many starts. He’s significantly improved his Beyer Speed Figures in each of those starts, and it makes you wonder if he’s due to bounce. The other question is, how much did the last start take out of him after having to battle the entire stretch with Fort Bragg?
Race 9 — Metropolitan Handicap
Distance: One Mile
Surface: Dirt
Post Time: 4:19 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 11 Casa Creed (9-2) gets back to the U.S. turf today. He loves Belmont, having won three of his four career starts. Additionally, he won this race last year. Not only is he one of four horses who have run a triple-digit Beyer, but he has by far the most triple-digit Beyers in the race. He will be closing from off the pace so will need to work out a trip.
Live Contenders: No. 2 Go Bears Go (12-1) ran third last time out in the Grade 2 Turf Sprint on Derby Day. That was his first start in seven months, so it’s likely he can move forward off that effort. Any turf sprinter coming out of the Wesley Ward barn has to be taken seriously, and Ward and jockey Jose Ortiz have teamed up for two wins in five starts at this Belmont meet.
No. 12 Caravel (3-1) has won four in a row, two of those against the boys. She could have run in the Turf Sprint on Derby Day but opted for a non-graded stakes race on Oaks Day instead. It’s also interesting that she ends up here rather than shipping over to run at Ascot. You can’t let her beat you, but there’s enough doubt not to make her the top pick.
Race 10 — Metropolitan Handicap
Distance: One Mile
Surface: Dirt
Post Time: 5:04 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 1 Cody’s Wish (7-5) comes in on a five-race win streak. He won last time out off a six-month layoff and did so with ease. While the race set up beautifully for him, there looks to be just as much, if not more, pace in here Saturday. He also gets back to his best distance, a mile, where he is a perfect 6-for-6.
Race 11 — Manhattan Stakes
Distance: 1 1/4 Miles
Surface: Turf
Post Time: 5:54 p.m. ET
The Pick: No. 8 Up to the Mark (8-5) won last time out in the Grade 1 Turf Classic. Not only did he win, but he did it seemingly with ease. He has definitely found his preferred surface on the turf, and the added distance shouldn’t be an issue for him.
Full 2023 Belmont Stakes Betting Card
R5: Pick 3 — 1 | 2,4 | 2
R6: Pick 3 – 2,4 | 2 | 4,8,12
R7: To Win — No. 2 Search Results
R8: Pick 5 — 4,8,12 | 2,11,12 | 1 | 8 | 3,4,6,8
R8: To Win — No. 12 Gilmore
R9: To Win — No. 11 Casa Creed
R9: Pick 4 — 2,11 | 1 | 8 | 3
R11: To Win — No. 8 Up to the Mark (BEST BET OF THE DAY)
R12: To Win the Belmont Stakes — No. 3 Arcangelo
R12: Belmont Stakes Exacta — 3 | 6
R12: Belmont Stakes Superfecta – 3 | 4,6,7,8 | 4,6,7,8 | 4,6,7,8
