Jimmy Boyd in 
We are just a little over a week away from the 2019 Belmont Stakes, which will be the 151st running of this historic event. The hype and level of coverage of this race depend heavily on if there’s a horse with a chance to win the elusive Triple Crown.
With Kentucky Derby winner Country House not even running at the Preakness Stakes, we have known for a while now that this race wouldn’t have that special feel to it.
Updated List of Top Horses in the Field for the Belmont
As of right now there are 9 horses with odds to win. Below is a quick look at all of the contenders that are expected to run.
If you are new to wagering on horses or handicapping these events, you are going to want to check out our guide to betting the Belmont. We also have a page dedicated strictly to the results and payouts. Want my advice. I give my Belmont predictions on who will win, place and show.
2019 Belmont Stakes: Contenders & Sleepers in This Year’s Field
Tacitus (7/4)
Tacitus is the horse to beat according to the oddsmakers. If you believe the best of the best 3-year-olds run at the Kentucky Derby, than it’s easy to see why he’s the favorite. Tacitus was 3rd at Churchill Downs and on top of that will be fresh after not racing at the Preakness. Winner of both the Tampa Bay Derby and Wood Memorial, Tacitus is bred (son of Tapit) to love this grueling 1 1/2 mile track.
War of Will (5/2)
After a disappointing 7th place finish at the Kentucky Derby, War of Will traveled to Pimlico and won the 2019 Preakness Stakes. That victory will have a lot of people backing him at the Belmont, but you might want to look another direction. In the last 12 years, only two horses have won the Belmont after racing at both the Derby and Preakness and those were Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify. War of Will is the only horse in the field that has run in each of the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
Master Fencer (7/1)
Master Fencer had a surprisingly good run at the Kentucky Derby, as he ended up 6th, despite going off at 58 to 1. The horse from Japan had a great stretch run at Churchill Downs and he too will be well rested. Note that he was just 1/2 a length back of Tacitus.
Everfast (8/1)
Everfast had the worst odds of any horse to win the Preakness Stakes at 50 to 1, yet he wound up being the runner-up to War of Will. No one seems to want to give this horse any love. He had a 2nd place finish at the Grade II Holy Bull at odds of 128 to 1. He might not have what it takes to win, but could be an interesting option for your trifecta.
Intrepid Heart (12/1)
Intrepid Heart is one of three horses in the field that is expected to run after not participating in the Derby or Preakness. He’s easily got the best odds of the three and given that he’s trained by Todd Pletcher and bred for distance, he’s likely going to get some love leading up the big day.
Spinoff (12/1)
It’s always hard to get excited about a horse that struggles at the Kentucky Derby, as Spinoff finished way back in the pack at 18th. However, the belief in his group of people is that the horse didn’t take well to the sloppy conditions at Churchill Downs.
Tax (12/1)
Here’s another horse that had a disappointing showing (14th) at the Kentucky Derby, but comes into the Belmont with some optimism. Tax got trapped on the rail coming out of the No. 2 starting spot at Churchill. Prior to that poor showing this horse had been strong, including a runner-up showing at the G2 Wood Memorial behind Belmont favorite Tacitus.
Sir Winston (16/1)
Will be tough to back Sir Winston, even after a strong finish for a runner-up at the Peter Pan. Sir Winston took part in a three Derby points races and didn’t place in any of them.
Joevia (25/1)
The biggest long shot in the field is Joevia, who like Sir Winston and Intrepid Heart, will be making their Triple Crown debut in the final leg. Not a lot to get excited about. He was disqualified from 7th to 11th at the Wood Memorial back in April for interference.
