In just a few short weeks, the 2022 Belmont Stakes will be upon us. And while there is still plenty of time for things to change, we can already start making some early picks for who we think will be in contention come race day.
If you are unaware, Belmont Stakes is the last championship thoroughbreds will be racing to win the Triple Crown title after Justify in 2018.
For this year, if you are getting ready for your bets, you must know who will run this June.
What To Expect For 2022 Belmont Stakes?
As the final leg of the Triple Crown, the 2022 Belmont Stakes is going to be as huge as ever. This horse racing event will be held at Belmont Park, New York, on June 11, 2022. Tickets will be available for horse racing fans on the Belmont Stakes website.
If you are one of the bettors preparing for this year’s event, it is natural to prepare for your prospective horses. However, the final lineup for every Belmont Stakes is only revealed after the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes events. As a result, this can disadvantage you as a bettor.
Fortunately, sportsbooks and experts have prepared possible horses that will run this year, giving you more time to research and find your horse. To help you, here is a list of horses that are most likely going to appear this year.
Bourbonic
One of the early picks for this years race is Bourbonic. Trained under Todd Pletcher, this beautiful thoroughbred colt attracts horse racing fans from left and right after he defeated the favorite, Crowded Trade, during their last match at the Wood Memorial.
He has an astonishing 12 starts so far, which he has won three times. People have described Bourbonic as someone that knows how to fight and run straight head-on.
Rombauer
The 2021 Preakness Stakes winner, Rombauer, is said to be running for this year’s Belmont Stakes. He is training with Michael W. McCarthy, and people are now looking forward to how he will be running for the stakes.
After winning against Midnight Bourbon and Medina Spirit, Rombauer will continue to prove his excellence this year too. So far, Rombauer has won three games out of his eight starts while being in third place twice and in second place once.
Essential Quality
Essential Quality is an excellent horse that has won eight games out of all his ten starts. What’s more, he was unbeatable during his two consecutive runs last year, 2021. Unfortunately, he was only in fourth place in the 2021 Kentucky Derby after trying to catch up to the third placer’s Hot Rod Charlie, second, Mandaloun, and winner, Medina Spirit.
Furthermore, Essential Quality has an astonishing record of 114 Equibase speed figures. With this speed and Brad H. Cox’s training, one can expect utmost performance with Essential Quality.
Rock Your World
Rock Your World is a superstar on the grass, but after winning the 2021 San Anita Derby (G1), this dark bay horse has proven to anyone that he can run wherever you place him. This year, horse racing fans will witness Rock Your World run on yet another track that runs 2.4km.
This young horse will continue proving his versatile talent and win the 2022 Belmont Stakes. Rock Your World already has seven starts and won three games while placing on second rank one time.
Overtook
Todd A. Pletcher, a multimillionaire horse trainer, is training Overtook, a bay gelding horse. He had his first win on his third start and has been present on two huge consecutive stakes. After breaking his maiden, Overtook already has six starts, but he has only placed in the third rank twice and a second place.
Additionally, Overtook did not run on any start this year too. Hopefully, Overtook will run for other pre-Belmont Stakes to have a chance to run this year.
Known Agenda
Todd Pletcher appears again on this list with another horse, Known Agenda. This chestnut colt was sired by the famous Curlin, a two-time American Horse of the Year. As his offspring, Known Agenda does not disappoint. Last year, this thoroughbred was renowned as the 2021 Grade I Florida Derby winner.
Being trained by Todd Pletcher, he will possibly appear in this year’s Belmont Stakes with his jockey Jose L. Ortiz. One can expect more from Known Agenda for this year’s race, especially with three wins on his record.
France Go De Ina
France Go De Ina is a chestnut thoroughbred colt owned by Yuji Inaida. He has already run in the Belmont Stakes in 2021 and did not appear in any starts after. Now he is back and will be running for the 2022 Belmont Stakes.
While preparing for the massive event, France Go De Ina is training with his Japanese Trainor, Hideyuki Mori, and will run with his jockey, Yuichi Fukunaga. This year alone, France Go De Ina already had three starts with no wins yet.
Final Thoughts
Until the event day of the Belmont Stakes, nothing is certain. Odds and lineup might significantly change or not. Still, being prepared for the huge day will help you more than you think. So keep these horses in mind while you get ready for this year’s Belmont Stakes.
