Odds-on favorite Classic Empire is out of the Belmont Stakes due to abscess. But his loss is potentially the gain of a few other horses in the field who just saw their chances of winning the final leg of the Triple Crown increase ever so slightly. Here are some of the top horse racing experts’ sleeper picks to win the Belmont Stakes this weekend.
Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News is high on Lookin at Lee (+500) to put on another good performance at the Belmont. Iyer notes how Lookin at Lee has been the most consistent horse during this Triple Crown run after he finished second in the Kentucky Derby and fourth at the Preakness. He also points out that his trainer, Steve Asmussen, was the trainer for last year’s Belmont winner, Creator. Iyer, though, ultimately predicts Lookin at Lee puts up another second-place finish.
Iyer also offers Tapwrit (+600) as his best long-shot bet for the Belmont. Iyer likes the track record of Tapwrit’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, who has had two winners in the race since 2007 – Rags to Riches (2007) and Palace Malice (2013).
Horse Racing Nation
Matt Shifman of Horse Racing Nation is high on Senior Investment’s chances of victory. He notes how the horse has made improvements in every single one of his races in 2017. Senior Investment finished a very strong third as a 31-1 long-shot at the Preakness, and is currently priced at +1,000 to win the Belmont. Shifman believes he is a sure-fire trifecta contender this weekend, and a $50 bet on Senior Investment to win would land a cool $500.
Get More Sports
Brian Mulligan of Get More Sports focused on the style that will be needed to win at Belmont. He came up with a couple of names in Meantime and Twisted Tom who could have just the style to succeed. Meantime possesses a lot of speed and will be looking to get out to an early lead right out of the gates.
He also figures Twisted Tom is capable of being one of the early front-runners. He was right at the head of the pack in a couple of his victories, and could do the same at Belmont Park.
The oddsmakers are nowhere near as high on either horse, though. Both are priced at +1,500 to win, tied for the second highest odds in the field.
Who do you have winning the big race? Create a betting account now to get in on the action for the 2017 Belmont Stakes.
