There will be no horse completing a Triple Crown at Saturday's 2023 Belmont Stakes (6:50 p.m. ET, NBC), but Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure will have his eyes on earning a second consecutive jewel. Although Kentucky Derby winner Mage isn't among the nine horses racing, there still is some tough and familiar competition.
Derby entries Angel of Empire, Hit Show and Tapit Trice return to the field after missing the Preakness. In addition, Forte, who was scratched from the Derby as a favorite, will make his Triple Crown debut at Belmont.
Red Route One, who didn't race in the Derby but finished fourth in the Preakness behind National Treasure, Blazing Sevens and Mage, will take a second major shot. That leaves three fresh horses for the Belmont: Tapit Shoes, Arcangelo and Il Miracolo.
Here's breaking down what you need to know about all the horses trying to succeed 2022 Belmont winner Mo Donegal and pass the "test of the champion":
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Belmont Stakes post positions, odds for 2023
Here are the official morning line odds for the 2023 Belmont Stakes field, set by the Belmont Park oddsmakers. They will be updated before Saturday's race:
| Post position | Horse | Odds |
| 1 | Tapit Shoes | 20-1 |
| 2 | Tapit Trice | 3-1 |
| 3 | Arcangelo | 8-1 |
| 4 | National Treasure | 5-1 |
| 5 | Il Miracolo | 30-1 |
| 6 | Forte | 5-2 |
| 7 | Hit Show | 10-1 |
| 8 | Angel of Empire | 7-2 |
| 9 | Red Route One | 15-1 |
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What are National Treasure's chances after winning the Preakness Stakes?
National Treasure isn't in the best position to take the Belmont, the longest Triple Crown race, after ripping through the Preakness, the shortest. He was impressive wire-to-wire at Pimlico, but he'll need to put in extended work down the stretch against some rested heavyweights. Given trainer Bob Baffert's suspension through the Derby, there's feeling of what could have been had National Treasure been entered at Churchill Downs, too.
All things considered, it makes sense National Treasure has the fourth-best odds early, not even expected to place at Belmont.
What other 2023 Belmont contenders have the best track records?
1. Forte
Forte's last race resulted in beating Kentucky Derby winner Mage at the key tuneup Florida Derby on April 1. Including the veterinary scratch at Churchill Downs, that means he's been rested for more than two months. In seven total races going back to late May 2022 at Belmont Park, Forte has six wins vs one fourth place finish. Barring any more medical issues, he will be hard to beat with his endurance and closing ability.
2. Tapit Trice
He has the pedigree and training to live up to the high betting expectations he had at the Kentucky Derby once Forte was scratched. He busted there, needing to grind to seventh place, but that only raises the chances of a delayed boom. Before the Derby, Tapit Trice was riding a four-race winning streak in as many tracks through Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs and Keeneland. He has a fair shot to rebound for five in five.
3. Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire was third behind Mage and Two Phil's at the Derby. Before that, he took the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and the Risen Star at Fair Grounds Race Course. He should be somewhat comfortable with the Belmont's length of 1 1/2 miles. The combination of Cox and jockey Flavien Prat has two Triple Crown victories, both at the Derby with Mandaloun and Country House. Cox will hope keeping Angel of Empire out of the Preakness pays off as the best Derby finisher in this field.
Which trainers can you trust most at Belmont?
1. Todd Pletcher
Pletcher's training has paid off well in Belmont's long game. Going back to his breakout with Rags to Riches in 2007, he has four victories in the race. He was behind Mo Donegal's win last year, building on Palace Malice in 2013 and Tapwrit in 2017.
2. Bob Baffert
Baffert can boast three Belmont victories, with the last two coming with Triple Crown superstars Justify in 2018 and American Pharaoh in 2015. Before then, his only win had been with Point Given in 2001.
3. Brad Cox
Cox trained 2021 Belmont winner Essential Quality. He also won his first Triple Crown race with Mandaloun in the 2021 Derby, where Essential Quality finished third. He's got strong Angel of Empire on his side again, but watch out for this two other horses, Tapit Shoes out of No. 1 and Hit Show from No. 7.
Which jockeys can you trust most at Belmont?
1. Irad Ortiz Jr.
Ortiz is looking for his own triple as he rode Mo Donegal to victory, following up his fine winning work with Creator on the outside in a more crowded field in 2016. He always has felt most comfortable riding at Belmont among the jewels. He will be revved up for a rested Forte.
2. Luis Saez
Tapit Trice returns as a more formidable foe after fading to seventh in the Derby. Like Ortiz, Saez's only winning experience in the Triple Crown has come at Belmont, with Essential Quality for Cox in 2021.
3. Joel Rosario
While Manny Franco, Hit Show's jockey, won in 2020 with Tiz Law before being succeeded Saez and Ortiz, Rosario helped Sir Winston win the Belmont, as he did for Tonalist in 2014. He gives Red Route One, who finished fourth in the Preakness, a fighting chance.
Which horse is the best longshot pick to win the 2023 Belmont?
Hit Show
Hit Show is a good target for either place or show as part of a trifecta, but he does have the makeup and experience to finish first, too. The horse ran rather well leading up to the Derby, where it finished fifth. The recent winning experiences of Cox and Franco at the Belmont put him in good hands, too.
Which Belmont Stakes post positions have been the most advantageous?
Two of the past three winners — Mo Donegal (No. 6) last year and Tiz the Law (No. 8) in 2020 — were anomalous to the most popular winning positions. Here's breaking down the six posts that have produced the highest number of Belmont champions:
No. 1 (24 winners): Justify completed its Triple Crown from here in 2018. It's notable, however, that he ended a 14-year drought since Empire Maker won the Belmont in 2004. Tapit Shoes will hope deep, rich history helps.
No. 3 (15 winners): There have been recent back-to-back winners here with Ruler on Ice in 2011 and Union Rags in 2012. Arcangelo will hope to return this post to glory.
No. 5 (15 winners): American Pharoah represented this position while completing the Triple Crown in 2015.
No. 2 (13 winners): Essential Quality came through from the second spot in 2021 and another recent winner, Tapwrit, did the same in 2017. That may work out well for Tapit Trice, who like Tapwrit, was sired by Tapit.
No. 7 (12 winners): Sir Winston last added to this list in 2019. Before that Drosselmeyer won the Belmont in 2010 and Rags to Riches took it in 2007. Hit Show will try to get a boost from this inside position right between Forte and Angel of Empire.
No. 4 (9 winners): It's been while here with Summer Bird last winning in 2009 and likewise Birdstone in 2004.
No. 9, the last post in this year's race occupied by Red Route One, has produced three winners since 1998 while the lone modern winner from No. 10 was Thunder Gulch in 1995. The latter post won't be in play here for the shortened field.
What's weather like for the 2023 Belmont Stakes?
Saturday's evening forecast for Elmont, N.Y., home of Belmont Park calls for ideal conditions, with no rain and temperatures going from the low 70s to high 60s. avoiding blistering summer-like heat.
Belmont Stakes 2023 picks
Forte got a bad break when he was scratched from the Derby for veterinary reasons after having all the momentum to win going into the race. Pletcher and Ortiz will get some necessary redemption here for a repeat, deny Baffert's post-Justiy return to the winner's circle.
While National Treasure fades late out of the top three, Tapit Trice will push Forte for a while with a better start than he did at the Derby, ensuring he won't fall as far behind.
Hit Show, who will push Forte a little next to him, will come through with good finish for the combination of Franco and Cox, who experienced their own wins apart from each other in 2020 and 2021.
| Win: Forte |
| Place: Tapit Trice |
| Show: Hit Show |
