2022 Belmont Stakes Picks – Our Expert Picks

A star-studded field will gather at Belmont Park to vie for glory in the 2022 Belmont Stakes on June 11. We have provided our expert Belmont Stakes picks to help you cash in on the third leg of the Triple Crown.

This Belmont Stakes betting guide provides advice on both the straight and exotic markets. We will help you find the best available odds on each runner, and explain how to handicap the race yourself if that appeals. Read on to discover our Belmont Picks and the reasons behind them.

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2022 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds – The Favorites

BetOnline, Bovada, and BetUS are the three sites currently offering futures betting odds on the Belmont Stakes. As you can see, they differ on most of the runners, so it is important to find the best line on a particular horse you want to bet on.

These odds are liable to change as the Belmont Stakes approaches, but they were correct at the time of publishing.

Basketball Insiders’ Belmont Stakes Expert Picks

We have assessed the quality of each horse that will compete in the Belmont Stakes. After careful consideration, these are our top Belmont picks for 2022:

Our Belmont Stakes Pick to Win

It is easy to see why the bookies make Mo Donegal the favorite for the Belmont. His late-closing style should benefit him in this race. He finished the Kentucky Derby with a flourish, and he looked as though he could have picked off the likes of Rich Strike and Epicenter over an extra quarter of a mile.

Mo Donegal won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack in April. He finished a neck clear of Early Voting, who went on to win the Preakness Stakes. That has made many handicappers high on Mo Donegal when revealing their Belmont Stakes picks.

Another key trend is in his favor: in the past 25 years, 64% of Belmont winners competed in the Kentucky Derby, and 72% skipped the Preakness. The favorite also won the Belmont Stakes in each of the past two years. Tiz The Law triumphed in 2020, and Essential Quality got the job done last year.

It makes sense that favorites perform well in the Belmont, as it is the final leg of the Triple Crown and everyone is very familiar with the runners. Mo Donegal has the quality to maintain this trend, and odds of +275 on him look appealing.

Our top pick: 

• Mo Donegal to win the Belmont Stakes @ +275 with Bovada
• A $10 bet would win $275

Belmont Stakes Top 3 Picks

Ethereal Road was a leading contender for glory in the Kentucky Derby. However, he was scratched, allowing Rich Strike to claim a place in the field. The rest is history. Rich Strike defied odds of 80/1 to claim the second-biggest upset the Kentucky Derby has ever seen.

It now seems as though Ethereal Road will forever be remembered as the horse scratched to make way for Rich Strike – unless he wins the Belmont Stakes. That is a distinct possibility. He returned to action in the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico in May, and he came from the back of the field to win by 4 3/4 lengths.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is now set to unleash Ethereal Road on the Belmont, where he could be the runner to deny Rich Strike in the third leg of the Triple Crown. He came on strong in the closing stages of the Sir Barton, a 1 1/16 mile race, and he looked like he could flourish over a longer distance.

Ethereal Road was seventh in the Blue Grass and fourth in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes this year, so he is considered an outsider for the Belmont. However, he is on an upward curve, and the odds on him winning are starting to look very appealing.

We also like Creative Minister at a shorter price of +750. He finished third in the Preakness on his stakes debut, 3 1/2 lengths behind Early Voting. That was a very impressive performance considering his lack of experience. He is rising the ranks quickly and looks set for another strong showing in the Belmont.

Our picks: 

• Ethereal Road to win the Preakness Stakes @ +11oo with BetUS
• Creative Minister to win the Belmont Stakes @ +750 with BetUS

Belmont Stakes Longshot Picks

The odds of +1600 on Barber Road look tempting if you are looking for Belmont longshot picks. He was sixth in the Kentucky Derby, and trainer John Ortiz has been full of praise for the colt.

“Got a clean bill of health and soundness from our vets, assistant trainer, and myself,” said Ortiz. “We haven’t seen him look this sharp before… like he finally hit that maturity we’ve been waiting for. Very athletic-looking.”

The rank outsider is Kuchar at +3300. After watching Rich Strike defy odds of 80/1 (+8000) to win the Derby, anything is possible. He won an allowance race at Churchill Downs on May 22, following on from a runner-up finish in the Oaklawn Stakes. It seems unlikely that he will upset the favorites in this race, but stranger things have happened of late.

Our picks: 

• Barber Road to win the Belmont Stakes @ +1600 with Bovada
• Kuchar to win the Belmont Stakes @ +3300 with BetOnline

Belmont Stakes Exotic Picks

The Belmont Stakes is a very important horse racing event, as it marks the third leg of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, is set to compete, which should help whip up excitement among viewers, and exotic picks will be in high demand. These are our recommendations:

Belmont Stakes 2022 Exacta Picks

Mo Donegal and Ethereal Road both look perfectly suited to the “Test of the Champion”, as the Belmont is affectionately named. It could prove to be a fierce duel down the stretch, but we have gone with Mo Donegal edging his rival in our Belmont Stakes picks.

Our picks: 

• 1st: Mo Donegal @ +250 with BetOnline
• 2nd: Ethereal Road @ +1000 with BetOnline

The payout for the exacta will be revealed after the race. Last year, a $2 exacta on the Belmont paid $15.

Belmont Stakes 2022 Trifecta Picks

We like Creative Minister to join Mo Donegal and Ethereal Road in our trifecta Belmont horse picks. He may lack the pace-setting ability of We the People and the closing power of Mo Donegal and Rich Strike, but he is blessed with tactical speed. He should be towards the front of the field in the early stages and poised for a grinding late rally.

Our picks: 

• 1st: Mo Donegal @ +250 with BetOnline
• 2nd: Ethereal Road @ +1000 with BetOnline
• 3rd: Creative Minister @ +700 with BetOnline

Last year, a $1 trifecta on the Belmont paid $21.70.

Belmont Stakes 2022 Superfecta Picks

We can see Rich Strike finishing fourth in our Belmont Stakes picks. He pulled off a stunning win in the Kentucky Derby, impressing everyone with his late burst of pace. Yet we can see Mo Donegal turning the tables on him at the Belmont, and we like Ethereal Road and Creative Minister to edge him out too.

Our picks: 

• 1st: Mo Donegal @ +250 with BetOnline
• 2nd: Ethereal Road @ +1000 with BetOnline
• 3rd: Creative Minister @ +700 with BetOnline
• 4th: Rich Strike @ +700 with BetOnline

The $1 superfecta on the Preakness Stakes 2021 paid $60.70.

Belmont Stakes 2022 Super Hi-Five Picks

We are passing on We the People, who was seventh in the Arkansas Derby and has never been tested over this distance. Instead, we will throw in Barber Road for our Super Hi-Five Belmont Stakes picks. He was sixth in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe he can go one better in the Belmont after exiting that race in great shape.

Our picks: 

• 1st: Mo Donegal @ +250 with BetOnline
• 2nd: Ethereal Road @ +1000 with BetOnline
• 3rd: Creative Minister @ +700 with BetOnline
• 4th: Rich Strike @ +700 with BetOnline
• 5th: Barber Road @ +1200 with BetOnline

Our Top 3 Picks for the Belmont Stakes

These are our top picks for the Preakness Stakes 2022:

Pick 1: Ethereal Road to Show in the Belmont Stakes

Ethereal Road looks capable of finishing in the top three at Belmont. That should generate a strong payout when you consider the long fixed-odds currently available on him at the sportsbooks.

If you are feeling bolder, you can bet on him to place – or go for an across-the-board wager – but the show seems like the shrewdest approach.

Pick 2: Mo Donegal to Win the Belmont Stakes

Everything points to a win for Mo Donegal in this race. He will have to make up 5 3/4 lengths on Rich Strike following the Kentucky Derby, but he was bumped with a furlong and a half remaining in that race. He still finished gamely, and he should outstrip his rivals if he gets a clear run in this race.

Pick 3: Mo Donegal and Ethereal Road in a Belmont Stakes Quinella

This is unlikely to be the most popular quinella, as Rich Strike will feature prominently in exotic Belmont picks. That should result in a generous payout if Mo Donegal and Ethereal Road finish first and second. We have already explained why we like both runners in our Belmont Stakes picks, and combining them in a quinella looks very appealing.

Best Belmont Stakes Betting Sites

We have reviewed all the sites that are offering Belmont Stakes odds this year. Our team analyzed the strength of the fixed odds, the quality of the bonuses, payout speeds and reliability, and much more. These are the best Belmont Stakes betting sites in 2022:

5 Key Belmont Stakes Trends That Can Help You Pick the Winner

These key trends can help you make astute Belmont picks if you would like to handicap the race yourself:

1. Triple Crown Experience is Important

Over the past 25 years, 68% of Belmont Stakes winners had taken part in either the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, or both.  It is rare to see a horse seize the Belmont without having previously taken part in at least one of the previous two legs of the Triple Crown. That could be a red flag for Ethereal Road.

Last year’s winner, Essential Quality, was fourth in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness. The previous year, Tiz The Law, won the Belmont, but it was held before the Preakness and the Kentucky Derby due to the pandemic.

2. Finishing Out of the Money in the Derby is not a Problem

Forty-four percent of the Belmont winners over the past 25 years ran in the Derby and finished out of the money. Essential Quality defied that trend last year by running third in the Derby and winning the Belmont, but he actually crossed the line in fourth, and he was only bumped up to third after Medina Spirit was disqualified.

The strongest trend is that almost half of the Belmont winners over the past 25 years finished outside of the money in the Derby, and either skipped the Preakness or ran in it and finished in the money. Horses that skip the Preakness, including Essential Quality, are often full of vitality for the Belmont, which could count against Creative Minister.

3. Stamina is Crucial

The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the Triple Crown races and it requires a great deal of stamina. We have seen lots of frontrunners pipped at the post after failing to stay the distance, including Smarty Jones and Real Quiet.

Look out for fast-finishing gallopers that have the past performances and running styles to suggest a step up in trip is within their reach, such as Mo Donegal.

4. Treat the Peter Pan with Skepticism

The Peter Pan Stakes has always been the main prep race for the Belmont. However, since 1987, only two horses completed the Peter Pan Stakes-Belmont Stakes double: A.P. Indy in 1992 and Tonalist in 2014.

It is only a 1-mile race, and the horses carry 10 pounds fewer than they will at the Belmont, so the race is hardly ideal preparation for the rigors of The Test of a Champion. That could count against We the People, who won this year’s Peter Pan Stakes.

5. Favorites Thrive at Belmont

Three of the past four Belmont Stakes favorites have won the race. That could spell good news for Mo Donegal, who is the clear favorite this time around. For many years, favorites struggled in this race, but that has all changed in recent times.

Each of the past 10 Belmont Stakes winners came from the top seven in the betting, so this is not a race for long-shots. If you are hoping to see a repeat of the scenes at this year’s Kentucky Derby, you may well be disappointed.

What are Belmont Stakes Picks?

Belmont Stakes picks provide bettors with advice on how the race will unfold. Expert handicappers will assess the strengths and weaknesses of each horse and rank them in descending order. The ultimate goal is to figure out who will win the race, or perhaps whether a runner will finish in the money.

Some sites give out Belmont picks for free. That is the case with this Belmont Stakes picks guide. Other handicappers will charge you for their Belmont picks. You should only pay for Belmont picks if you are confident in the credentials of the handicapper.

We would always recommend conducting your own research too. You can use Belmont picks as a guide and then delve into the runners’ past performances to ensure you ultimately agree with the advice.

Where to Find Belmont Stakes Expert Picks

We have laid out our Belmont Stakes picks for this year’s race, including straight and exotic Belmont picks. However, we understand that you might like to seek a second – and perhaps third and fourth – opinion.

CBS is a good resource for Belmont Stakes picks, and the official Kentucky Derby site will sometimes give out Belmont picks. You can also scour social media, but once again, you should establish a handicapper’s credentials before taking his or her advice.

How to Make Belmont Stakes Picks and Predictions

If you would like to come up with your own Belmont picks, these are some key areas to focus on:

• Class | It is important to look out for horses that have performed well in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races against elite opposition in the past. There is always a chance that an unheralded runner could come from out of nowhere and triumph, but it is safer to stick with tried and tested three-year-olds. For example, Mo Donegal was fifth in the Derby and he beat Preakness winner Early Voting in the Wood Memorial.
• Post Positions | Post 1 is the most successful in Belmont Stakes history, followed by Post 3, Post 4, and Post 2. The inside barriers are therefore historically advantageous, which is worth keeping in mind when making Belmont Stakes picks.
• Conditions | The track is normally fast at Belmont, but you can never fully rely on the East Coast weather, so check the forecast in the build-up to the race. If New York faces heavy rain, look out for horses that have thrived on a wet track in the past. A sloppy track tends to create a front-runner bias, which could suit We The People and perhaps Creative Minister while counting against Mo Donegal.
• Style | Late closing horses often perform well in the Belmont. You regularly see an early pacesetter overtaken down the straight by a horse that rallies from deep in the field. Tactical speed can also be beneficial in this race.
• Staying Power | The most important characteristic for a Belmont Stakes winner is stamina. This is the longest race in the Triple Crown and it comes after an intense few months for the three-year-olds, so staying power is vital. Look out for horses that were looking for a longer trip when finishing strong in the Derby or the Preakness.

We would recommend claiming as many horse racing free bets as possible before the big race gets underway. Online sportsbooks give out free bets to new and existing customers to stand out from their rivals in the run-up to the Belmont, giving you a chance to bet with house money.

Picks and Parlays for the Belmont Stakes

A parlay allows you to combine multiple picks into a single wager. In horse racing, it is normally a daily double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6, featuring races taking place on the same day.

However, a common double at this time of year involves picking the winner of the Belmont Stakes and the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes. The Belmont Gold Cup takes place the day before the Belmont Stakes, at Belmont Park in New York.

More on horse racing betting…

If you would like to learn more about betting on the Preakness Stakes, check out the additional resources on these pages:

• Best Belmont Stakes betting sites – Discover the best online bookies for betting on the Belmont Stakes
• Belmont Stakes odds – Learn how to read Belmont Stakes odds and find the best lines on each contender this year
• How to bet on the Belmont Stakes – A thorough guide to the various betting options on the Belmont Stakes, and how to place a bet
• Best racebooks – An overview of the best racebooks for US and international thoroughbred racing
• Parimutuel betting – A guide to the system used to calculate dividends for horseplayers
• Pool betting – Learn more about the pool system that is used to calculate your winnings when you bet on horses
• Virtual horse racing – Discover the intriguing world of betting on RNG-controlled virtual horse races

Belmont Stakes Picks FAQs