While it feels like it took forever to get here, the horse racing world will finally reach the Belmont Stakes this weekend. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 5 when eight of horse racing’s top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds will face off at the Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Unfortunately, there won’t be a Triple Crowner winner in 2021 because the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes were won by two different competitors. Nevertheless, this weekend’s event will surely be an exciting one.
It’s common knowledge that sports betting and horse racing go hand in hand. After all, a wager here and there can bring some extra excitement to even the biggest of races. Well, Bovada has released odds for the 2021 Belmont Stakes. As of June 3, the sportsbook is favoring Essential Quality to win the event at +225 odds. While Essential Quality didn’t compete at this year’s Preakness Stakes, he did race in the Kentucky Derby, finishing in 4th place.
Essential Quality has also been impressive in other events this year, having won both the Southwest Stakes and Blue Grass Stakes. He was the 2020 American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse for a reason and he’ll have another shot at showing why he deserved all of his accolades in Elmont this week.
Despite Essential Quality being favored to win the 2021 Belmont Stakes, it’s not a guarantee that he will. Continue reading to see which other horses stand a favourable chance.
Horse Racing: 2021 Belmont Stakes Odds
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, June 3
- Essential Quality (+225)
- Rombauer (+375)
- Hot Rod Charlie (+400)
- Rock Your World (+425)
- Known Agenda (+600)
- Bourbonic (+1800)
- Overtook (+2500)
- France Go De Ina (+2800)
Rombauer Close Second Favorite
Rombauer’s may not be the favorite to win the Belmont Stakes, but his +375 odds are more than respectable. Sometimes all it takes is some momentum to propel a horse towards winning a race. Fortunately, Rombauer has that. The 3-year-old colt just won the 2021 Preakness Stakes, winning the race by 3.6 lengths. He may not be able to win a Triple Crown this year, but coming away with this weekend’s victory is the next best thing.
Rombauer also won the 2021 El Camino Real Derby, so it’s not like he just has one victory under his saddle. Considering his track record so far this year, look for Rombauer to have another impressive performance at the Belmont Stakes.
Belmont Stakes Odds: Hot Rod Charlie Rounds out Top-3
Rounding out the top-3 odds to win the 2021 Belmont Stakes is none other than Hot Rod Charlie at +400 odds. The Doug O'Neill-trained colt won the 2021 Louisiana Derby, which ultimately earned him a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Heading into that race, Hot Rod Charlie was tied for having the third-best odds (+800) to win. He ended up finishing in third place, just a single length behind Medina Spirit for the victory.
Hot Rod Charlie did not race in the 2021 Preakness Stakes, however, he’s looking to have a dominant showing this weekend with his jockey, Flavien Prat. One thing about Prat is that he’s no stranger to Triple Crown races. He won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with Country House and was victorious at this year’s Preakness Stakes with Rombauer.
Another reason why Hot Rod Charlie could have a good showing at the Belmont Stakes is that he defeated tournament favorite Essential Quality at the 2020 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Obviously, a lot has changed since then, but a proven track record against other top horses shows that Hot Rod Charlie could be a dark horse this weekend.
