One of the best betting horse races of the summer happens on Saturday, July 6: the $750,000 Belmont Derby (G1)! The race is a little different than in previous years: with Belmont Park under construction, it will be run at 1 3/16 miles over the lawn at Aqueduct. However, it is still one of the marquee races of the year, and the best sophomore turf race of the American racing year!
The race is the beginning of the New York Turf Triple, one of horse racing’s newest traditions. That series has only existed since 2019, but has quickly gained a high profile in the world of turf racing. Between the Belmont Derby, Saratoga Derby, and Jockey Club Derby, grass sophomores now have a chance to shine all summer long, and domestic and international runners alike respond to the call.
Belmont Derby winners have come from both the United States and abroad. Top American winners include Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Oscar Performance (2017) and Travers (G1) winner Catholic Boy (2018). International stars include Aidan O’Brien trainees Deauville (2016) and Bolshoi Ballet (2021).
Stay right here to find out who can join the list this year and to see the best places to bet the Belmont Derby online!
You used to have to go to Las Vegas to get the best odds on horse racing. However, thanks to online sportsbooks, you can get real Vegas odds on horse racing and sports anywhere with an internet connection! The best online sportsbooks offer you Vegas odds, trusted payouts, and an enjoyable betting experience from your computer, tablet, or smartphone!
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This is the official field for the 2024 Belmont Derby including post positions, trainers, and jockeys:
Closer to race day, Aqueduct will post a morning line. That can be a useful guide to track which horses are expected to take money or not, but they are not a guaranteed price on each horse. On track, since prices are based on actual betting action, you do not know your actual odds until the gates fly open.
Betting at an online sportsbook is your best Belmont Derby bet. Online sportsbooks offer real Vegas odds on the race, and just like Las Vegas casinos you can get fixed odds on the biggest races in the world. So, when you see an overlay, you can bet and then be confident that you will get the best price on your Belmont Derby pick when they win!
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|---|---|---|---|
| Legend of Time | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| White Palomino | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Endlessly | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Trikari | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Royal Majesty | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Now that you have your betting account set up, it is time for the most exciting part: choosing who to wager on in the Belmont Derby! Keep reading to meet the top contenders, including both favorites and value horses.
In a short field, a horse who can handle the ground and dictate the pace is in an excellent spot. This bodes well for Trikari to break through at the top level.
To his credit, he is not wedded to the lead: he battled on the pace to break his maiden at Gulfstream, but won the Rushaway and the American Turf (G2) from just off the running. He was a massive longshot in the American Turf, but backed it up in the Penn Mile (G2) next out, missing by just a neck over a shorter trip. The stretch out should bring him back to his best.
The ground should also suit him better than some of his foes. Legend of Time does better on firmer ground and Endlessly is untested over grass that is not California firm, but after all the rain leading into the Kentucky Derby, Trikari handled the cut in the ground well and won the American Turf. With rain in the forecast Friday and Saturday, that ability can help him shine again.
If Trikari doesn’t get to the lead, White Palomino probably does. He set the pace in the Pennine Ridge (G2), the local prep for this, and just got caught late. That was his first start against winners, and the experience should help here. A bit of cut in the ground shouldn’t hurt either: he broke his maiden two back at Keeneland over good ground, going 1 3/16 miles, the same distance as the Belmont Derby.
Royal Majesty also has some good upside. Though he has yet to break through at the stakes level, he won over good ground at Keeneland two back against first-level allowance foes. And, he showed more tactical speed in the Pennine Ridge and chased on for a credible third. With quality breeding for the stretch out to 1 3/16 miles, he can chase on for another piece if he works a tactical trip again.
Here are your best bets for the 2024 Belmont Derby!
