There is no complete Triple Crown at stake this year when the 151st Belmont Stakes is run this Saturday, June 8 (post time 6:48 p.m. ET, NBC). But War of Willi is a mild 2-1 non-favorite in trying to take the second consecutive jewel.
While Kentucky Derby winner Country House, Improbable, Roadster, Game Winner, Maxium Security are among the season's notables not in the 2019 field, there are lot of familiar challengers to War of Will. Everfast, which placed at the Preakness, joins Bourbon War, which came in 8th, in also going to Belmont. Several more horses are trying to redeem themselves from the Derby, including Tacitus (show), Master Fencer (6th), Tax (14th) and Spinoff (18th).
There are ample elements for drama and unpredictablity in Belmont Park, save for Bodexpress (also not entered) illegally racing without a jockey again, Here's all the information you need to know before picking a horse in the 2019 Belmont Stakes.
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Belmont Stakes 2019 lines, odds, post positions
Here are the official morning line odds for the 2019 Belmont Stakes field, set by Belmont Park oddsmaker Eric Donovan. They will be updated before Saturday's race:
| Post | Horse | Odds |
| No. 1 | Joevia | 30/1 |
| No. 2 | Everfast | 12/1 |
| No. 3 | Master Fencer | 8/1 |
| No. 4 | Tax | 15/1 |
| No. 5 | Bourbon War | 12/1 |
| No. 6 | Spinoff | 15/1 |
| No. 7 | Sir Winston | 12/1 |
| No. 8 | Intrepid Heart | 10/1 |
| No. 9 | War of Will | 2/1 |
| No. 10 | Tacitus | 9/5 |
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What are War of Will's chances after winning the Preakness?
War of Will is the only horse at Belmont Park that competed for Triple Crown glory at both Churchill Downs and Pimlico. The combination of two Floridians, trainer Mark Casse and Tyler Gafflalione, saw War of Will make the jump from seventh to first, running with a lot more confidence in the shortest of three races. Belmont, the longest at 1 1/2 miles, will be a tough test for a horse with the most wear in the field.
Still, the way War of Will charged to finish inspires it will carry good momentum to the race. The experience of navigating past a smaller group of horses also will help.
Tacitus, however, is the early 9/5 favorite and a formidale challenger. It was officially third at the Kentucky Derby and got a needed month-long break. Before the Derby, it won both the Wood Memorial and Tampa Bay Derby in impressive fashion.
Then it's all about the pedigree. Tacitus is the progeny of Tapit, which has sired three recent Belmont winnners: Tapwrit in '17, Creator in '16 and Tonalist in '14.
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Why is Intrepid Heart the Belmont Stakes newcomer to watch?
Let's start with the combination of Todd Pletcher, a three-time Belmont-winning trainer (Tapwrit, Palace Malice, Rags to Riches). Let's continue with two-time winning jockey John Velazquez (Union Rags, Rags to Riches). It's been 12 years since they celebrated together.
Pletcher saw Intrepid Heart finish third at the Peter Pan in Belmont Park, and saw its potential to thrive in a longer race. It also has a tie to Tacitus — as the son of Tapit.
What long-shot is worth a Belmont Stakes bet?
Go no longer than Sir Winston, Casse's second entry after War of Will. It also is being ridden by Joel Rosario, who won as Tonalist's jockey five years ago.
Which trainer should you trust most at Belmont with no Bob Baffert entry?
Pletcher has three wins and Casse is looking for his first. But don't forget that William Mott, who trains Tacitus, won in '10 with Drosselmeyer before doing the same with Country House at the Derby this year.
Which jockey can make the biggest difference in the Belmont Stakes?
The field is half-loaded with past Belmont winners in Velazquez, Rosario, Mike Smith (three times) and the Brothers Ortiz (once each). Jose Ortiz won just two years ago with Tapwrit, providng another reason to favor his current ride, Tacitus.
What's been the most advantageous Belmont Stakes post position?
In the two most recent Belmont Stakes, Justify finished its Triple Crown from No. 7, while Cloud Computing won from No. 2 in '18. Creator made No. 13 very lucky in '16.
No. 3, where Master Fencer will start, set up back-to-back winners in '11 and '12. Beyond No. 7, Sir Winston's position, No. 5 also has brought some good recent success, which should make the team behind Bourbon War feel better, too.
As for War of Will vs. Tacitus, on the outside, No. 9 has produced three winners since '98 while the lone modern winner from No. 10 was Thunder Gulch in '95.
What's the weather forecast for the 2019 Belmont Stakes?
Saturday is expected to be mostly dry and sunny in Elmont, N.Y., with high of 76 degrees, getting a little cloudier and falling to around 68 degrees at post time. There also will no wet conditions from zero chance of rain on Friday, which is expected to be hotter and sunnier with a high of 77.
Belmont Stakes 2019 picks
Tacitus has much on its side and will be ready to duel War of Will through the final stretch. But look for some separation there in ideal track conditions, with Intrepid Heart flying in between them for a one-spot improvement at Belmont.
War of Will can think about what could have been at the Kentucky Derby, but there's no doubt Casse and Gaffalione will end up very thrilled with their Triple Crown season. They will get their horse to respond well again when everything counts the most.
| Win: War of Will |
| Place: Intrepid Heart |
| Show: Tacitus |
