By Ryan Bologna
The last Triple Crown race of the year will take place Saturday, June 11 at 6:49 p.m. ET with the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes. This race will see the return of the Kentucky Derby winner and some new favorites. Let’s take a look at the betting odds for this weekend’s race.
The Favorites
We The People
Odds: 2-1
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Jockey: Flavien Prat
The 38-year-old trainer Rodolphe Brisset is looking for his first grade one win as a trainer at the Belmont Stakes. We The People came in as the favorite, drawing the first post position. Brisset draws experience from his years as an assistant to Hall Of Fame trainer Bill Mott, so he certainly knows what a winning horse looks like.
Veteran jockey Flavien Prat is looking to become a winner of all three triple crown events with a win this weekend. He won the Kentucky Derby in controversial fashion in 2019 with Country House after Maximum Security was disqualified. He won the Preakness Stakes onboard Rombauer. Look for We The People to be one of the main contenders on Saturday.
Mo Donegal
Odds: 5-2
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Todd Pletcher comes into the event with five triple crown wins, two at the Kentucky Derby and three at the Belmont Stakes. So he has a track record of running out winners at this event. He has once again gone with his proven strategy of giving his horses five weeks of rest after the Kentucky Derby. A fourth win is well within the realm of possibility for Pletcher this weekend with Mo Donegal.
Irad Ortiz is regarded by many as the best jockey in North America. He currently leads all jockeys in wins and earnings in 2022 and won the Belmont Stakes aboard Creator in 2016. It makes sense that a horse with the pairing of Pletcher and Ortiz is viewed as one of the top contenders.
Rich Strike
Odds: 7-2
Trainer: Eric Reed
Jockey: Sonny Leon
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is back after trainer Eric Reed made the decision to skip out on the Preakness Stakes. While it is not a surprise to see Rich Strike as one of the top contenders, there is still some thought that winning the Kentucky Derby at 81-1 odds was a fluke. Having the third-best odds reflects that. Like with any horse, Rich Strike will need the right circumstances to win again this weekend.
Sonny Leon is back aboard Rich Strike for the event. Given that Leon handled running the Kentucky Derby on short notice so well, a weekend with less unpredictability could be beneficial. Leon knows what it takes to win with Rich Strike, so you can’t count him out.
A Longshot Pick
Barber Road
Odds: 10-1
Trainer: John Ortiz
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Like Brisset, John Ortiz draws experience from working with Bill Mott. After he moved to the U.S. with his father, he started his horse racing career at age 16 as a hotwalker for the Hall Of Famer. While not a crazy longshot, Barber Road is an underdog that could be worth a look given the experience Ortiz has as a trainer.
Joel Rosario will be running in the Belmont Stakes for the 11th time this weekend. He won the event for the second time in his career with Sir Winston in 2019, who was viewed as a longshot coming into the event. Rosario has the experience and ability to win with a horse like Barber Road this weekend.
Photo Credit: Dennis W Donohue
