Field and Odds For the 2021 Belmont Stakes

Before the weekend, it looked as if there would be 11 entries in Saturday's 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes.  Rebel's Romance, owned by Godolphin Stables, and winner of the UAE Derby in March, had Mike Smith signed as a jockey, when the colt developed an infection in his hind leg, and was not entered.  Two other hopefuls, Brooklyn Strong, who ran in the Derby, and Keepmeinmind, who ran in both the Derby and Preakness, were also not entered in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

   So a field of eight Kentucky-bred colts will contest the longest race in the Triple Crown series.  The Belmont Stakes is scheduled to start at 6:49 pm EDT on 5 June, with a guaranteed purse of $1.5 million.  The course is one complete trip around the 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) of the track known as "Big Sandy."  All of the three-year-old colts will carry 126 pounds in the race.  As usual, this will probably be the longest race in each colt's career.

Essential Quality, the 2-year-old Champion of 2020 and Kentucky Derby

betting favorite, is installed as the first betting choice for the Belmont Stakes

   This year, all of the colts were bred in Kentucky, and they represent seven stallions, with Curlin the sire of both Known Agenda and Overtook.  Coat colors comprise one gray or roan (Essential Quality), two chestnuts (France Go de Ina and Known Agenda), and five bays.  Six trainers are involved, with Todd Pletcher having three entries: Bourbonic, Known Agenda and Overtook.  All of the colts raced in one other Triple Crown race, with Rombauer the winner of the Preakness; except Overlook, who has finished second and third in two Graded Stakes.  Rombauer and France Go de Ina last raced in the Preakness Stakes three weeks previously, while the other colts are much fresher.

   Here are the entries for the 2021 Belmont Stakes, with the Post Position and entry name, followed by the morning-line betting odds, the sire, and the dam.

1.  Bourbonic                 15 to 1       Bernardini      Dancing Afleet

2.  Essential Quality       2 to 1        Tapit      Delightful Quality

3.  Rombauer                  3 to 1        Twirling Candy      Cashmere

4.  Hot Rod Charlie        7 to 2         Oxbow      Indian Miss

5.  France Go de Ina     30 to 1        Will Take Charge      Dreamy Blues

6.  Known Agenda         6 to 1         Curlin      Byrama (GB)        

7.  Rock Your World      9 to 2         Candy Ride (ARG)      Charm the Maker

8.  Overtook                 20 to 1         Curlin      Got Lucky