Saturday, July 9 at Belmont Park is one of the most exciting betting horse races of the entire summer: the $1 million Belmont Derby (G1)! Covering a mile and a quarter over the grass, the race drew a field of thirteen of the best three-year-old turf horses from both sides of the Atlantic.
The race is the first in the New York Turf Triple. Though the Triple was only instituted in 2019, it has already become one of the highlights of the turf racing year. The Belmont Derby, Saratoga Derby, and Jockey Club Derby are all $1 million races with truly international appeal.
Belmont Derby winners have come from both sides of the ocean. Last year Aidan O’Brien trainee Bolshoi Ballet came from Ireland to win it, and O’Brien also won the race with Deauville in 2016. On the American side, the best of the winners include Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Oscar Performance (2017) and Travers (G1) winner Catholic Boy (2018).
Read on to find out who will join this list, and find out how to cash big on the Belmont Derby!
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This is the official field for the 2022 Belmont Derby including post positions, trainers, and jockeys:
As the race gets closer the track will release morning lines. However, the morning line is only the track’s best guess about what the odds will look like come post time. You cannot lock those in at the track, as they will fluctuate until the horses break from the gate.
Your best bet in the 2022 Belmont Derby is to bet the race from a trusted online sportsbook. They offer real Vegas odds on the race, and you can lock them at the moment you place your bet. That way, you can bet when you see an overlay and watch the race confident that you are getting the best price.
Now that you have made your account to bet on horse races online, it’s time to meet the top contenders and pick a winner! Let’s get to know the best horses in the 2022 Belmont Derby.
Though Stone Age disappointed in the Epsom Derby (G1), as he finished off the board as the 7/2 second choice, trainer Aidan O’Brien hopes he can rebound at Belmont. That is a similar profile as his win last year, Bolshoi Ballet. However, Stone Age will have to prove that he can win while either not making all, or keeping up with more aggressive American early speed.
The more intriguing runner from the Epsom Derby is Nations Pride. He brought improving form into the Epsom Derby but finished off the board. It may have been too much, too soon, though. Now he has that extra experience, he cuts back to a ten-furlong distance he has already proven he loves, and unlike Stone Age, Nations Pride has already proven that he has the tactical gear.
Among the American contenders, the one most likely to be bet heavily is Emmanuel. Trained by red-hot Todd Pletcher, this onetime Kentucky Derby prospect impressed on the lawn when winning the Pennine Ridge (G2). However, he will have a much tougher time up front with Classic Causeway to contend with, and he will have to go longer than he has ever tried.
Tiz the Bomb is the best bet in the Belmont Derby. He has been running on dirt and Tapeta this year, but here he returns to his best surface. He ran a good second at the Breeders’ Cup last year, showing he can turn out a good effort against top company. And, with several horses in the field with pace, he should get a good trip.
Limited Liability is an intriguing up-and-comer to put on your tickets. Trained by Shug McGaughey, this improving colt ran third in the Pennine Ridge last out. Though that gives him tables to turn on Emmanuel and Napoleonic War, the presence of more speed in this race gives him a better chance at the right trip. And, his pedigree shines for the step up to ten furlongs.
Though the first-string horse from the Todd Pletcher barn looks like an underlay, it makes sense to try and leverage that hot-barn angle with his second-stringer, Grand Sonata. He has yet to run badly in seven starts, and he has proven (unlike his stablemate) that he can run a winning race with a tactical style. His pedigree interests for the stretch out as well.
Here are your best bets for the 2022 Belmont Derby!
