One of the most important betting horse races of the year is coming up on Saturday, July 9 at Belmont Park: the $1 million Belmont Derby (G1)! The race covers 1 ¼ miles on the lawn, and drew a field of 11 of the most exciting three-year-old turf horses in the United States and Europe. Despite only existing in its current form since 2014, it is one of the marquee events of the summer, and this year is no different!
It is the first leg of the New York Turf Triple, one of the newest features in horse racing. The series was only introduced in 2019, but has quickly become one of the most prestigious parts of the summer schedule. The Belmont Derby, Saratoga Derby, and Jockey Club Derby are all seven-figure races that draw deep international fields every year.
Winners of the first leg, the Belmont Derby, have hailed from both the United States and overseas. Leading American winners include Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Oscar Performance (2017) and Travers (G1) winner Catholic Boy (2018). International stars include Aidan O’Brien trainees Deauville (2016) and Bolshoi Ballet (2021).
Keep reading to find out who can join this illustrious list, and find out the best places to bet it online!
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This is the official field for the 2023 Belmont Derby including post positions, trainers, and jockeys:
Closer to the race, the track will release morning lines. However, the morning line is not a guaranteed price from the track, but rather the track’s best estimate of post-time odds. The track will not let you lock in a price, so you will have to wait until post-time to find out the payout on your selection.
Your best bet in the Belmont Derby is to play the race from an online sportsbook. They offer real Vegas odds on the race, and just like in a casino you can lock in the price the moment you make your wager. When you see an overlay, you know that is the price you will get, and you can watch the Belmont Derby knowing you got the best price on your horse!
With your betting account in hand, it is time for the best part: choosing who to bet in the race. Read on to meet the top contenders and find out who has the best chance to make an impact in the 2023 Belmont Derby.
Kalik comes into the Belmont Derby on a three-win run. Though trainer Chad Brown has yet to win a Belmont Derby, he has a strong chance to do so this year: he won the Pennine Ridge (G2), the local prep, and even though that came on the front end he broke his maiden three back from a stalking spot and that may be his best chance in his biggest race yet.
The Foxes and Silver Knott are the overseas shippers. Between the two, The Foxes is the class. He makes his first American appearance, but comes out of a fifth-place run in the Derby (G1) at Epsom behind well-proven Auguste Rodin and King of Steel. His late-running style may make him an underlay on top, but on the other hand, the cut back to 1 ¼ miles should allow him to bring his best.
Silver Knott has hit the board in both of his American starts, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) last year and the Pennine Ridge last out. He needs to rediscover his winning instinct, though he gets enough underneath shares against good horses to think he can again, and he is bred well enough for the stretch out to this ten-furlong trip.
Wizard of Westwood is the longshot play in the Belmont Derby. He has the speed to set the pace from the outset, and may be able to put the field to sleep and lead them all the way. He has class to prove, as this is his first graded try. But, he comes in from a win at 1 ¼ miles, and his trainer Michael McCarthy has made a career of cleverly-spotted shippers outrunning their odds in major races.
Webslinger also deserves a look in the Belmont Derby. He won the American Turf (G2) two back, and then backed that up with a win in the Audubon next out. Though this is a deeper field than that was, what interested most about that Audubon win was that he sat closer to the pace than ever before and was able to kick on, take over, and win. That is the kind of trip that could pay dividends here.
Here are your best bets for the 2023 Belmont Derby!
