Belmont Stakes Lines

The Belmont Stakes (Gr 1) is the third and final leg of the prestigious US Triple Crown of Races, and is held in early June each year at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race is run over 1 1/2 miles on dirt by a field of top three-year-old colts, geldings and fillies for a purse of $1 million.

It takes place just a few weeks after the second leg, the Preakness Stakes (Gr 1), which itself takes places a few weeks after the first leg, the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1). While not as big as the Derby, if the same runner has won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, it becomes the biggest race on the US horse racing calendar.

Like the first two legs, the Belmont Stakes always attracts the cream of American runners, trainers and jockeys, as well as millions of dollars in betting action. In 1974, the legendary runner Secretariat set two records that still stand today - the fastest winning time of 2:24 and the greatest winning margin of 31 lengths.

Belmont Stakes History

The Belmont Stakes is older than both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, having been inaugurated in 1867. Named after a politician of the period, August Belmont, Sr, the race was contested at Jerome Park Racetrack in the New York borough the Bronx. But in 1890, it was shifted to nearby Morris Park Racecourse.

Morris Park remained the home of the Belmont Stakes until in 1905 it was shifted once more, this time to its current home at Belmont Park, which is close to the New York borough Queens. The newly built Belmont Park quickly became the most fashionable racing venue in New York, attracting betting fans from all over the state.

However, the Belmont Stakes was not run in 1911 or 1912 on account of the fact the racecourse was forced to shut down as a result of anti-gambling legislation passed by New York State. Luckily for racing fans, however, the racecourse was reopened in 1913, and racing resumed as usual, including the all-important Belmont.

Being the last leg of the US Triple Crown each year, the Belmont Stakes has earned the nickname the 'Test of the Champion', because at a distance of 1 1/4 miles, it is longer than both the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 miles) and the Preakness Stakes (1 3/16 miles), and thus a far more challenging races for both runners and riders.

Belmont Stakes Betting

As part of the ages old US Triple Crown, it is not surprising that like the Derby and the Preakness before it, the Belmont is a very big betting event domestically and internationally, thanks to the ease and convenience of online sportsbooks. Through them, the latest Belmont Stakes betting lines and markets are available worldwide.

But what really sends Belmont Stakes betting through the roof is when one of its entrants has won that year's Derby and the Preakness, and must win the Belmont to join the elite ranks of previous Triple Crown champions. However, this is no easy task, considering Affirmed was the last horse to pull of the impressive feat in 1978.

2012 Belmont Stakes Odds

The 2012 Belmont Stakes, which is set for Saturday, June 9 at Belmont Park, should attract a larger than usual number of betting fans, considering I'll Have Another will no doubt start well-favored, the colt who won the Derby and the Preakness. Of course, whether he'll be able to handle the longer distance is questionable.

Although the final Belmont Stakes field is yet to be finalised, you can bet that I'll Have Another will face some stiff competition, particularly from horses that have uncharacteristically high stamina. Check back for the latest 2012 Belmont Stakes odds, as provided by a number of the world's leading online sports betting sites.