Belmont Derby 2023: Wizard of Westwood can work front-end magic

Coming up on Saturday, July 8 is the highly anticipated Belmont Derby (G1), a 1 1/4-mile turf race for three-year-olds at Belmont Park that offers a $1 million prize. This international feature always promises to be one of the most captivating horse racing betting events of the summer, thanks to its competitive field of 11 entrants. With such an excellent group, fans and horseplayers alike cannot miss it.

Wizard of Westwoodto win the Belmont Derby
★★★★★
TBA
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The race showcases international stars like Silver Knott and The Foxes alongside American turf stakes winners like Webslinger and Kalik. It sets the stage for an epic showdown that racing fans will remember for ages. For expert analysis of the race and guidance on the best online betting sites for playing the Belmont Derby, this is the place to be.

Where to Bet the Belmont Derby

Selecting the right platform for betting on the Belmont Derby is crucial. Though choosing from all the options can seem like a lot, we’re here to assist you and make the choice easy. With numerous options available, our online Belmont Derby betting reviews provide insights into platforms with user-friendly interfaces, excellent odds, and reliable deposit and withdrawal functions.

We can also help you discover sites offering the most enticing sportsbook bonuses tailored to your betting preferences. Choosing wisely can boost your bankroll with the best sign-up and deposit bonuses, referral incentives, and horse racing rebates. Investing a few minutes now to find the ideal option for your betting style can mean big returns on Belmont Derby day and beyond!.

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History of the Belmont Derby

The Belmont Derby is the prestigious first leg of the New York Turf Triple. The history of the Belmont Derby dates back to 2014 when the Jamaica was renamed and pushed back to July. It always attracts top-class horses from around the world, making it a highly anticipated event on the racing calendar. Its standout winners have included Deauville (2016), Oscar Performance (2017), Catholic Boy (2018), and Classic Causeway (2022).

The New York Turf Triple continues with the Saratoga Derby, and the Jockey Club Derby. Introduced in 2019, the series was designed to showcase the best turf horses in the United States. No horse has yet swept all three legs of the series, but it has proven invaluable in helping to build a stronger turf division for three-year-olds.

Belmont Derby Horses

This is the official field for the 2023 Belmont Derby. This includes post positions for each horse, as well as their trainers and jockeys.

  1. Mendelssohns March (Ken McPeek/Dylan Davis)
  2. Boppy O (Mark Casse/Luis Saez)
  3. Cyber Ninja (Bill Mott/Junior Alvarado)
  4. Webslinger (Mark Casse/Javier Castellano)
  5. Far Bridge (Todd Pletcher/Jose Ortiz)
  6. Silver Knott (Charlie Appleby/Richard Mullen)
  7. Wizard of Westwood (Michael McCarthy/John Velazquez)
  8. Kalik (Chad Brown/Irad Ortiz, Jr.)
  9. Mondego (Christophe Clement/Joel Rosario)
  10. Redistricting (Chad Brown/Flavien Prat)
  11. The Foxes (Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy)

As the race approaches, the track will provide a morning line, its estimate of the odds expected at post time. However, the best way to maximize your profit is to watch the odds at your preferred online sportsbook. When you see appealing odds for your chosen horse, you can seize the opportunity and place your bet.

Online sportsbooks offer fixed-odds betting, allowing you to lock in the most favorable odds at the moment you place your wager. That way, you can watch the Belmont Derby on Saturday with confidence, knowing that you will get the best possible price on your pick.

BovadaBetOnline ReviewBetUS Review
The FoxesTBATBATBA
Silver KnottTBATBATBA
Far BridgeTBATBATBA
KalikTBATBATBA
WebslingerTBATBATBA
RedistrictingTBATBATBA

Free Belmont Derby Picks

The field of 11 classy horses means the race will be an excellent betting opportunity, with both strong logical horses and interesting long shots. Let’s get to know the best contenders for the 2023 Belmont Derby.

Belmont Derby Favorites

Kalik carries a three-win streak into the Belmont Derby. He proved his graded quality when winning the Pennine Ridge (G2) last out, and though he took that race gate-to-wire, he proved in his maiden win that he can stalk and pounce as well. Irad Ortiz, Jr. returns to the irons; Ortiz, as usual, has been red-hot with trainer Chad Brown. This adds up to a tough American hope.

The Foxes is the better of the European pair. He comes out of a fifth-place finish in the Derby (G1) at Epsom; winner Auguste Rodin and second-place King of Steel have both come back to win top European races. The 1 ½ miles that day looked a bit too long; the cut back to 1 ¼ miles should suit him beautifully. The biggest question is whether he gets enough pace to close into, but he is the class.

Belmont Derby Exotics Horse

The other European, Silver Knott, interests for underneath shares. He has run well the two times Charlie Appleby has shipped him to the United States, but fallen just a bit short each time. As another closer who might not get the perfect pace setup, that is a concern as well. Use him in exotics, but he looks like an underlay on top.

Belmont Derby Price Horses

Wizard of Westwood is the longshot play in the Belmont Derby. He shapes as the speed of the speed, with Kalik and Mondego possible to be in closest range early. But, he is fast enough to clear. He proved his 1 ¼-mile stamina when winning the Cinema last out at Santa Anita. And, though this is his graded debut, Michael McCarthy is a veritable wizard at shipping improving horses to ambitious spot and springing an upset.

Wizard of Westwoodto win the Belmont Derby
★★★★★
TBA
Bet now

Webslinger has been one of the better turf sophomores this year. He looked like a closer earlier in his career, but last out in the Audubon he showed an excellent new gear. He sat closer to a slow pace and rallied to win. The foes are much tougher this time around but he ran last out like a horse who may handle a bit more distance and Javier Castellano now knows he can work a stalking trip.

Belmont Derby Best Bets

Here are the best bets to make on the 2023 Belmont Derby.

  • $20 to win – #7 Wizard of Westwood
  • $1 exacta box – #7 Wizard of Westwood, #8 Kalik, #11 The Foxes
  • $0.50 trifecta box – #4 Webslinger, #7 Wizard of Westwood, #8 Kalik, #11 The Foxes
  • $0.20 superfecta box – #4 Webslinger, #7 Wizard of Westwood, #6 Silver Knott, #8 Kalik, #11 The Foxes
Wizard of Westwoodto win the Belmont Derby
★★★★★
TBA
Bet now
Rowan Ward

Rowan is a seasoned veteran of the horse racing industry. She has dedicated nearly two decades of her life to this area. From starting as a groom and progressing to become a horse owner, her journey has taken her through various roles in marketing and media. Along the way, she honed her handicapping skills while working in horse racing broadcasting in both the United States and Canada. In her spare time, Rowan enjoys books and cares for an array of farm animals, including sheep, goats, ducks, and chickens.