There are numerous ways to bet the Belmont Stakes. First, for those unversed in horse betting, we should narrow the categories of wagering to vertical and horizontal.
Falling under the roof of vertical bets are the exacta, trifecta, superfecta and the somewhat new Super Hi-5. Horizontal wagers are the daily double, pick 3, pick 4, pick 5 and pick 6. The primary distinction is that vertical wagers involve a single race. Horizontal wagers stretch your betting dollars over several races.
To hit an exacta in the Belmont Stakes (or any race…) you must correctly select the first two finishers in sequential order.
To hit the trifecta you must nail the first three. The superfecta the first four. The ridiculously tough but might pay off your mortgage Super Hi-5 would require picking the first five finishers in order.
This article will focus on vertical wagers. A separate article has been published covering horizontal bets.
It would help to distribute the field into groups based on their perceived chances of appearing on the winning exacta, trifecta, superfecta and Super Hi-5 tickets.
Win contenders
Horses in this group should be considered for inclusion in the top spot of vertical wagers. They are grouped as A, B or C based on perceived likeliness of victory with A being the strongest and C being the weakest.
A: #10 Tacitus 9-5
B: #4 Tax 15-1, #6 Spinoff 15-1
C: #8 Intrepid Heart 10-1, #9 War of Will 2-1
Tacitus looks head and shoulders above the other horses in this race. However, if he should falter there are four other horses that appear to have a winning shot. War of Will is grudgingly included. While I acknowledge he can win, I’m going to take a stand against him. That cost me in the Preakness Stakes and might cost me again, but I have to stick to my guns.
Exacta contenders (second at best)
In addition to the above listed horses, #7 Sir Winston 12-1 should be considered as an exacta horse. The long winded router will be coming from the clouds which makes the probability of a win very small. But rounding out the exacta isn’t out of the question.
Trifecta contenders (third at best)
Rounding out the trifecta might be the best #3 Master Fencer 8-1 can hope to do. The Japanese-bred colt will be coming from well, well behind the other horses and figures to have too much to do in the stretch to have a chance at scoring the win.
Superfecta contenders (fourth at best)
#2 Everfast 12-1 was second in the Preakness, but a fourth place finish might be the best he can hope for in the Test of Champions. Remember, he had an ideal trip in the Preakness and even if he gets one again that is no promise of finishing in the money.
Super Hi-5 contenders (fifth at best)
All of them! They’re all horses, they’re all sort of fast and as a general rule ANYBODY can run fifth in a horse race. If you’re keeping track, the only horses we haven’t mentioned are #1 Joevia 30-1 who figures to fade after setting the pace and #5 Bourbon War 12-1.