Belmont Stakes picks and predictions

Earlier this week, we posted a Top 10 facts and figures article on this year’s first leg of the Triple Crown. Without major sports in the U.S., this is going to be hit by many bettors as it is one of the few big sporting events in recent months.

We are just one day away from the first leg of the Triple Crown. Before placing bets, take a look at some facts and figures for this year's Belmont Stakes: https://t.co/8a4BaEmqkP pic.twitter.com/Jv0qQsd83i
— Casino City (@casinocity) June 19, 2020

We got some advice and knowledge on the 2020 Belmont Stakes from Michael Dempsey, a 30-year horse racing handicapper and writer, who created Winners Circle Handicapping Syndicate and the TurfnSport Radio Network.

Below are the horses, their post positions and their odds for tomorrow’s race as of now on Intertops Sportsbook:

8. Tiz The Law/ -139
1. Tap It to Win/ +600
2. Sole Volante/ +650
9. Dr Post/ +700
10. Pneumatic/ +1000
3. Max Player/ +2000
5. Farmington Road/ +2500
6. Fore Left/ +2500
7. Jungle Runner/ +5000

Here we present our picks for the 152nd running of the “Test of the Champion”:

Michael Dempsey

$30 to win on 10

$5 exacta 9, 10 / 1,8,9,10 =$30 total wagered (Either the 9 or 10 has to win, then any of the four have to run second to cash)

$5 exacta 10 / 1,2,8,9 = $20 total wagered (The 10 has to win, then any of the four have to run second to hit the exacta)

$5 exacta box 8-10 = $10 total wagered (Both the 8 and the 10 have to come in the top 2, in any order)

Tiz the Law is the obvious one to beat but is not going to offer much value at about even money. The colt has done little wrong, winning four of five starts including both starts this year.

Pneumatic draws the outside post which may be an advantage here as Santana can see how the early pace plays out, which may be lively. The colt looks as if he has some upside and should be a fair price in this spot.

Dr Post should benefit if the early pace is lively and will be a fair price.

Casino City Associate Editor Dan Ippolito

$20 to win on 9

$20 to show on 2

$10 exacta box 8-9 = $20 total wagered (The 8 and 9 have to come in the top 2, in any order)

$5 trifecta box 2-8-9 = $15 total wagered (The 2, 8 and 9 have to come in the top 3, in any order)

Despite the favorite not having a great record at the Belmont Stakes, it would be extremely tough to not include Tiz The Law in the top 2 or 3.

I like Dr Post a lot as his trainer Todd Pletcher has had great success in Belmont, winning this leg of the Triple Crown three times.

Sole Volante is coming off of a win on 10 June at Gulfstream Park and has a solid position in the 2 spot. Hopefully he can get the rail early and come in the top 3.

Casino City Managing Editor Gary Trask

$10 Exacta Box 8-4-9 = $60 total wagered (Two of the three horses have to finish in the top 2, in any order)

Hate to go with the heavy chalk, especially in the Belmont where the favorite has not fared well in recent years, but this year's race is totally different for obvious reasons. Tiz the Law is the class of this short field and jockey Manny Franco feels right at home on this track.

$15 to win/$15 to place/$15 to show to place on 4

If we're playing the favorite to win, we have to throw a long shot into the mix. At this price, Modernist is a bargain considering Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott just decided late this week that he would enter this horse. He wouldn't do that if he didn't think there was a legit chance to win. That's good enough for me.

$15 to win/$15 to place/$15 to show on 9 (9 can come in any top 3 positions for a bet to hit)

The Belmont winner typically has a jockey and/or trainer that is from New York and Dr. Post has both. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has been a mainstay in the New York Thoroughbred circuit for years and won the 2016 Belmont while riding Creator while trainer Todd Pletcher already has three wins at the Belmont Stakes in his storied career. Dr. Post has won both starts as a 3-year-old so we think he contends on Saturday at Belmont Park.