The Belmont Stakes will look much different than usual this year and it’s not just because there
will be no Triple Crown winner. The 2024 edition of the race will happen at Saratoga Race
Course instead of Belmont Park due to renovation and construction. Also, the Belmont Stakes
will be shortened from 1 ½ miles to 1 ¼ miles. After skipping the Preakness, Sierra Leone
returns to face some familiar foes, and some new contenders.
Sierra Leone +180
If the Kentucky Derby was just another foot longer, Sierra Leone would have won at Churchill
Downs. He did everything right that day, but Mystic Dan nosed him out for the win.
He’s still considered one of the best 3-year olds in the country and will look to prove that in New
York. The Derby runner-up hasn’t raced since the first Saturday in May but has posted some
solid works. One big change to note as jockey Flavien Prat replaces Tyler Gaffalione for the
Belmont.
Mystik Dan +800
It’s not often you get a Derby winner stick around for the Belmont if he’s not chasing the Triple
Crown but it appears Mystik Dan will take a run, his third Gr. 1 race in five weeks. The Derby
winner tried to run a similar race at Pimlico, saving ground along the rail but on the turn, had to
go to the outside and wasn’t able to catch Seize the Grey. This truly is "The Test of the
Champion" for Dan, and fatigue likely hinders his chance of taking two of the three Triple Crown
races.
LONGSHOT CHANCE
Antiquarian +1200
Looking for a price? Antiquarian may be your bet. He’ll definitely be double digit odds but has
been impressive after breaking his maiden in February, finishing sixth in the Louisiana Derby
and bouncing back with a win in the Peter Pan Stakes where he posted his best speed figure of
his career. Since 1951, eight winners of that race have gone on to win the Belmont. Another
reason to consider, Antiquarian has shown he may like a longer distance.
Honor Marie +1200
In the last 24 years, 12 horses who didn’t win the Kentucky Derby have come back to win the
Belmont Stakes. That could fit here with Honor Marie. He finished 8th in the "Run for the
Roses” and has been well rested since that effort. The colt had a tough race getting bumped
coming out of the gate and in 19th place on the first turn. The same distance with a smaller field
could see Honor Marie get his shining moment in the Big Apple.
2024 Belmont Stakes Odds
Sierra Leone +175
Mindframe +350
Mystik Dan +800
Seize the Grey +800
Resilience +1000
Antiquarian +1200
Honor Marie +1200
Dornoch +2500
The Wine Steward +2500
Protective +4000