The Belmont Stakes 2024: Odds, Horses and Post Positions (Sierra Leone Favored)

The Belmont Stakes 2024: Odds, Horses and Post Positions (Sierra Leone Favored)

The final leg of the Triple Crown -- the 2024 Belmont Stakes -- takes place this weekend, but there won't be a Triple Crown Winner.

Still, both the Kentucky Derby Winner (Mystik Dan) and the Preakness Stakes Winner (Seize the Grey) will race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York on Saturday.

Despite both winners of the first two legs racing, it's Kentucky Derby runner up Sierra Leone that has the top spot in the opening odds.

With post positions now official, here's a look at the field for the Belmont Stakes as well as the odds for each horse competing.

  1. Seize the Grey
  2. Resilience
  3. Mystik Dan
  4. The Wine Steward
  5. Antiquarian
  6. Dornoch
  7. Protective
  8. Honor Marie
  9. Sierra Leone
  10. Mindframe

Sierra Leone has three first place finishes and two second place finishes in five career starts, with the most recent race it participated in coming at the Kentucky Derby.

Since Sierra Leone didn't run in the Preakness, could it have an edge against some of the competition that has ran in both?

While neither Mystik Dan or Seize the Grey is favored in this race, they both are near the top of the odds. Mystik Dan clocks in at No. 3 at 5-1 while Seize the Grey is No. 4 at 8-1.

Mindfram (7-2) is an interesting No. 2 option, as the horse won both of its previous starts in 2024, although it did not run in either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Kentucky Derby Runner-up Jockey Could Face Disciplinary Action After Video Review

Kentucky Derby Runner-up Jockey Could Face Disciplinary Action After Video Review

The 2024 Kentucky Derby was as thrilling as it gets. The 150th Run for the Roses finished in breathtaking fashion in a three-way photo finish in the closes race the event has seen since 1996. Many are still buzzing about the result, including some controversy involving jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who was riding runner-up Sierra Leone.

Gaffalione has been ordered to do a film review of the race with stewards on Thursday. Gaffalione could face discipline after the review.

The incident in question came on the final straightaway as Sierra Leone and Forever Young closed on eventual winner Mystik Dan. Gaffalione and Sierra Leone were positioned on the outside, with Forever Young to their left and Mystik Dan on the inside. As the horses neared the finish, Gaffalione reached out with his left arm and appeared to grab Forever Young, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai. He maintained contact for a few seconds as the horses appeared to be jostling for position.

Here is the statement from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission issued on Monday:

"The Stewards review every race in Kentucky live and by video replay before posting it official and they followed the same procedure for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. After conducting their standard review of the race, determining no further review or investigation was necessary to conclude there were no incidents that altered the finish of the race, and seeing there were no objections filed, the Stewards posted the Kentucky Derby official. Following the race, the Stewards ordered Tyler Gaffalione, jockey aboard Sierra Leone, to film review on May 9, 2024. The Stewards conduct film reviews routinely to review the conduct of jockeys during a race. The Stewards, in their discretion, can take disciplinary action against a jockey following the review."

It's unclear what will happen as a result of the review, but SI's Pat Forde speculated a short suspension would likely be the most that would come of it. And it could result in no punishment at all.

Mystik Dan Wins 2024 Kentucky Derby in Stunning Three-Horse Photo Finish

Mystik Dan Wins 2024 Kentucky Derby in Stunning Three-Horse Photo Finish

The 2024 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs came right down to the wire.

Mystik Dan edged Sierra Leone and Forever Young by a nose on Saturday, surging ahead on the final turn and barely holding on to secure an upset victory.

The race was so close it took officials several minutes to officially proclaim Mystik Dan as the winner.

Mystik Dan, guided by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., previously finished third at the Arkansas Derby in March and won the Grade III Southwest Stakes in February.

"Brian just did an amazing job," Mystik Dan's trainer Ken McPeek said after the race. "Just a brilliant, brilliant jockey and ride."

McPeek completed a career Triple Crown as a trainer, previously winning the Preakness in 2020 with Swiss Skydiver and the 2002 Belmont Stakes with Sarava.

Mystik Dan will have a chance to notch the second title of a Triple Crown pursuit on May 18 at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.