Justify came out of the Preakness (G1) in fine fettle and is the short priced favorite in early Belmont Stakes betting.
The Bob Baffert trained Justify heads to New York in just under three weeks looking to become the 13th Triple Crown winner and will be the solid favorite for the Belmont Stakes (G1).
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner opened at 4-5 in early Belmont Stakes betting odds at USRacing.
The biggest question in the upcoming week will be the status of Kentucky Derby third place finisher Audible, who has the same connections as Justify and could be the biggest threat to snuffing out his Triple Crown chances.
On Sunday, Elliott Walden, the president and chief executive of WinStar, told David Grening of The Daily Racing Form “We’ll just take our time. I think we’ll just have to wait and see. We’re just not going to make any rash decision; we’ll think it through. We’ll see how they both train up and go from there.”
Audible, who won the Florida Derby (G1) before his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby is currently at odds of 4-1 at USRacing.
Bravazo Headed to Belmont
Preakness runner up Bravazo has been confirmed for the Belmont and is 9-2, good for third choice in the early betting.
Preakness third place finisher Tenfold will also hit The Big Apple and is listed at 6-1 at USRacing. The Steve Asmussen trainee will be making just his fifth career start.
Three others that ran in the Derby and skipped the Preakness are probable for the Belmont Stakes—seventh place finisher Hofburg, ninth place finisher Vino Rosso and Free Drop Billy, who checked in 16th. Among the trio the Bill Mott trained Hofburg is the lowest price at 7-1.
Gronkowski, who won the European Road to the Derby points race but spiked a fever has been shifted to the barn of Chad Brown and is possible for the Belmont. His current Belmont odds are at 35-1.
Solomini is listed at 16-1 but his trainer Bob Baffert said he likely would not be heading to New York.
Peter Pan (G3) winner Blended Citizen, who was an also-eligible for the Derby but did not get into the race is likely for the Belmont. His current odds are 12-1.
Belmont Stakes Betting Odds via USRacing
| Audible | +400 | 4/1 |
| Blended Citizen | +1200 | 12/1 |
| Bravazo | +450 | 9/2 |
| Enticed | +4000 | 40/1 |
| Gronkowski | +3500 | 35/1 |
| Hofburg | +700 | 7/1 |
| Just Whistle | +6000 | 60/1 |
| Justify | -125 | 4/5 |
| Lone Sailor | +1200 | 12/1 |
| My Boy Jack | +700 | 7/1 |
| Solomini | +1600 | 16/1 |
| Tenfold | +600 | 6/1 |
| Vino Rosso | +1200 | 12/1 |
| Free Drop Billy | +3000 | 30/1 |
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