Everfast Becoming a Top Contender at 2019 Belmont Stakes After Game Winner, Code of Honor, Country House & Owendale All Withdraw

• The Belmont Stakes will be run on Long Island on June 8th
• Many top contenders have opted to skip the third jewel of the Triple Crown
• Everfast has seen his odds improve significantly with the many recent defections

The Triple Crown is having a strange year. The Kentucky Derby winner was not the horse that got to the finish line first, and when neither Maximum Security nor Country House opted to run in the Preakness Stakes, a riderless horse overshadowed War of Will’s victory.

Now we are on to the Belmont Stakes, where War of Will is really the only established name, though Tacitus is the early favorite. Everfast is gaining support, as you can see in our handy Belmont Stakes Odds Tracker. Let’s look at the latest odds and see where we can find some value.

2019 Belmont Stakes Odds

*Odds taken 05/29/19

The Favorite: Tacitus

As the 6/1 third choice in the Kentucky Derby, Tacitus was fourth across the finish line, and awarded third by disqualification. He didn’t have the best run in Louisville, steadying early, going five wide on the second turn, and bumping with Game Winner down the stretch.

Prior to the Kentucky Derby, he won the Tampa Bay Derby and Wood Memorial. He is well-rested and should run a good race.

Top Challenger: War of Will

Only 12 horses in history have lost the Kentucky Derby but bounced back to win the Preakness and Belmont, and none since Afleet Alex in 2005.

War of Will was hampered by Maximum Security’s step into his lane down the stretch in Louisville and bounced back to win in Baltimore. As the only horse in the Belmont field to run in the Derby and Preakness, he could be tired down the stretch of the grueling Test of a Champion at one and a half miles.

Price Plays

Tacitus and War of Will both make a lot of sense, but you are not going to get rich betting on them, even in exotic wagers. If you are looking for a price, go with somebody who has the rest edge (not Everfast who came up late in the Preakness). The Derby horses that skip the Preakness often are ready to go in New York.

The Derby horses that skip the Preakness often are ready to go in New York.

Tax’s trainer Danny Gargan said his horse did not like the sloppy surface at the Kentucky Derby. He finished second at the Wood Memorial before racing in Kentucky.

Master Fencer was flying late at 55/1 and finished seventh across the line in Louisville. That was his US debut, and he has the right stuff to show significant improvement.