Belmont Stakes 2024: Top Contenders to Bag $2 Million Prize & Win Triple Crown

After the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, the road to earn the Triple Crown will reach its final leg- Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8. Inaugurated on June 19, 1867, the “Third Jewel of the Triple Crown” has been shifted from Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Course in 2024. But this change of address will only be effective for 2024 and 2025 as the old Belmont Park is going through a renovation process. 

The Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan, had raised the fanfare to earn the Triple Crown. However, Preakness Stakes champion Seize the Grey made sure that no one could get near the coveted title. So while missing a chance to witness a Triple Crown winner has saddened the fans, the list of favorites to bag the $2 million prize money has created excitement. 

Todd Pletcher Vs Chad Brown: Belmont Stakes 2024 contenders

Todd Pletcher creates the same excitement in Belmont Stakes as Bob Baffert does in the Kentucky Derby, in winning the contests. Pletcher has earned the prize money for four different occasions in the Belmont Stakes and right now, he is looking to have his fifth one. But similar to last year, this time as well, he might have to face a heartbreak.

As per CBS Sports’ update, the odds are favoring Sierra Leone. The Chad Brown-trained horse will enter Saratoga Race Course, being the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. Furthermore, the equine has several other positive points. After the Kentucky Derby, Sierra Leone took a rest, with the Belmont Stakes 2024 in mind. Meanwhile, jockey Tyler Gaffalione has already displayed his presence of mind in the Kentucky Derby.

So, his outwit maneuvers are expected in Saratoga as well. So as of now, the odds stand at 7-4 for Sierra Leone. Fierceness may hold the next place, being one of the two multiple G1 race winners at 3-years of age. In the Derby, the equine had a forgettable performance, finishing the race in 15th position. But the odds of 3-1 prove the steel in his character. But what about the winners of the last two races? 

The unpredictable track where legends fall and new stars rise

In the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat, arguably the greatest horse ever, completed his triple crown by 31 lengths, finishing in 2:24 in 1973. The record still stands. But the same year, the Saratoga Race Course witnessed the Secretariat getting defeated by Onion, trained by H Allen Jerkens. Before that, the legendary Man O’War faced his only defeat in the Saratoga Racecourse in 1919.

Later in 2015, the American Pharaoh was defeated by Keen Ice on the same track. So, the racetrack has a history of watching monuments fall and newcomers take the stage. It is evident on the betting list as well. Despite being the crown champions in the last two major contests, both Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey are lagging in the list. The Kenny McPeek trained horse has a question mark to enter the Belmont Stakes 2024 as it has already targeted Travers Stakes, rolling in mid-year.

On the other hand, D. Wayne Lucas has lately confirmed his trained horse, Seize the Grey’s probability of competing for the prize money in the Saratoga Racecourse. Still, Seize the Grey is running behind Mystik Dan on the acquisition of bets. The Preakness winner is at 6-1 while the Kentucky Derby winner is standing at 5-1. Now, the fans will have to wait for June 8 to get the actual winner’s name.