Belmont Stakes post positions: Full draw & odds for the 2023 Triple Crown race

The third jewel of the 2023 Triple Crown is nearly set to run at the Belmont Stakes. Following Tuesday's post position draw, all that's left to do is race.

The Belmont Stakes may lose a few casual fans this year now that there's no possibility horse racing will see its first Triple Crown winner since Justify in 2018. Mage, winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, finished third at the Preakness Stakes, won by National Treasure; the former horse isn't even among the entries at this year's run at Belmont Park.

Even so, the conclusion of the sport's Triple Crown series is a massive event, both among casual fans and horse-racing enthusiasts alike. Plenty of viewers will tune in to see whether National Treasure can win his second Triple Crown jewel of the season.

MORE: Will the Belmont be canceled due to NY smoke?

Of course, the posts drawn on Tuesday will have a say in how the race ultimately plays out at the Belmont Stakes. Here are the post positions for this year's race, including odds and a look at historical racing trends from Belmont Park:

Belmont Stakes post positions 2023

Nine horses will run in the 155th Belmont Stakes, with National Treasure — winner of the Preakness Stakes, drawing Post No. 4. Tapit Shoes drew Gate No. 1, historically the best position to start from in Belmont Park.

Last year's winner, Mo Donegal, won out of Gate 6 — the first horse to win out of that position since Lemon Drop Kid in 1999.

Below is a full rundown of the post positions for the 2023 Belmont Stakes:

MORE: Who won the Kentucky Derby in 2023?

What is the best post position in horse racing?

The "best position" in horse racing varies, based on factors such as track type and length and the horses running in the race. Some run better with more space, meaning an outside gate would produce a better result.

But the shortest distance a horse needs to win a race comes from Gate No. 1, which gives it access to the rail. That can be disadvantageous for some horses that are claustrophobic, not only because they cannot move any further inside, but also because they have to wait longer inside the post.

That said, Gate No. 1 has historically been the best post to draw at Belmont Park: It has produced 24 winners, nine more than Posts 3 and 5 (15 each). But each of the first seven gates have proven to be more advantageous than wider posts. Excepting Gate 6 — which has produced nine winning horses, including Mo Donegal in 2022 — each gate has at least 10 winning horses.

MORE: Who won the Preakness Stakes in 2023?

Belmont Stakes winners by post position

The Belmont Stakes first implemented a starting gate in 1904. Since then, every gate numbered 1-13 has produced a winner while six gates have produced at least 10 winners.

While Gate 1 has produced the most winners in Belmont Stakes history, it hasn't been the most productive gate in recent years. Since 2000, two gates have produced three winners; they are Gates 3 and 7.

Below is a list of all of the winners at each gate since 1904:

Post 1 — 24 winners

Post 2 — 13 winners

Post 3 — 15 winners

Post 4 — 10 winners

Post 5 — 15 winners

Post 6 — 9 winners

Post 7 — 14 winners

Post 8 — 7 winners

Post 9 — 4 winners

Post 10 — 1 winner

Post 11 — 3 winners

Post 12 — 1 winner

Post 13 — 1 winner