2016 Belmont Stakes Preview and Picks

Looking for 2016 Belmont Stakes Free Picks? The third leg of the 2016 Triple Crown – the 148th edition of the $1.5 million Grade 1 Belmont Stakes is on tap for this Saturday, June 11 from Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Location: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York, United States
Purse: $1.5 Million
Winner: $800,000
Inaugurated: 1867 (149 years ago)
Race type: Thoroughbred
Distance: 1 1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs)
Record: 2:24, Secretariat (1973)
Surface: Dirt
Track: Left-handed
Odds: Bovada

Unfortunately for race fans this year’s fan-fare won’t be quite as drastic as 2015 as there is no chance for a Triple Crown winner this year – Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist won’t even race because of a health issue.

Still, a quality field of 13 has been confirmed to go in race 11 on Belmont Park’s stacked Saturday card. Keep in mind the 1 1/2 mile length of this race is the longest that all of these three year olds have gone in their careers and could spell doom for a few top contenders. Let’s take a look at the field and what should play out during an interesting day of racing in New York.

Exaggerator

The Belmont Stakes features only one real glaring favorite – Exaggerator who goes off at 9-5 odds. The problem I see is that he is one of a few to run all three legs of this grueling test and the course and distance will do him absolutely zero favors.

There are fresher horses in the field – ones with a better closing kick that will get my nod, although Exaggerator should provide a thrill along the way.

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Stradivari

Second choice Stradivari at 5-1 is still green – he has just four career starts and raced in stakes company last time out for the first time and finished a respectable fourth in the Preakness.

The Belmont requires poise and experience however – I fear that this colt possesses neither.

Destin

Destin at 6-1 is where things start to get interesting.

He finished sixth in the Derby, was coming off a layoff and has the running style that can handle the 1 1/2 miles. Add in the fact that he has possible the best rider in the country handling him and has two graded stakes scores already in his career and I think Destin is a serious threat Saturday.

Cherry Wine

The third betting choice is Cherry Wine at 8-1. I’m not sure he can handle the distance but anything is possible for the Preakness runner-up. Suddenbreakingnews at 10-1 is another interesting prospect as the co-fourth choice.

He closed from 19th to finish fifth in the Derby which shows off his closing ability – the extra distance may serve him well. Mike Smith in the saddle gives me reason to think that Suddenbreakingnews is in for a big day.

Creator

Another 10-1 shot Creator is also on my radar from the outside post 13. It’s true that he was brutal in finishing thirteenth in the Kentucky Derby. He looked great before that and should benefit from a smaller field.

With room to run Creator could be a factor indeed.

Governor Malibu

Governor Malibu at 12-1 could emerge – he won the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes on this track in May and Brody’s Cause at 20-1 offer up good value.

Belmont Stakes Longshots

Brody’s Cause won the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes April 9 and was seventh in the Kentucky Derby.

Lani, Trojan Nation, Gettysburg, Forever d’Oro and Seeking the Soul are all longshots in the race that really don’t offer a whole lot of appeal.

Belmont Stakes Picks:

I like Destin to get it done this week. Belmont is for closers and this Todd Pletcher trained colt is fresh as can be.

He can cover ground at the end. Suddenbreakingnews is another horse that can make up real estate down the stretch as demonstrated in the Kentucky Derby – the extra distance allows him to claim second with a worn out Exaggerator getting in for third.

Looking for a longer-shot? How about Governor Malibu at 12-1 or the aforementioned Brody’s Cause at 20-1. They are both recent Graded Stakes winners and both have had a win on this very track!

I like Governor Malibu a little more in this case – I have him finishing fourth with some upside here.

2016 Belmont Stakes Odds & Jockey/Trainers

1. Governor Malibu 12-1 Rosario/Clement
2. Destin 6-1 Castellano/Pletcher
3. Cherry Wine 8-1 Lanerie/Romans
4. Suddenbreakingnews 10-1 Smith/Von Hemel
5. Stradivari 5-1 Velazquez/Pletcher
6. Gettysburg 30-1 Lopez/Asmussen
7. Seeking the Soul 30-1 Geroux/Stewart
8. Forever d’Oro 30-1 Ortiz/Stewart
9. Trojan Nation 30-1 Gryder/Gallagher
10. Lani 20-1 Take/Matsunaga
11. Exaggerator 9-5 Desormeaux/Desormeaux
12. Brody’s Cause 20-1 Saez/Romans
13. Creator 10-1 Ortiz Jr./Asmussen

Here are the LIVE betting 2016 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds & lines according to Bovada Sportsbook.

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