Two days before the Belmont Stakes, a major blow was dealt to one of the contenders for the 2021 Belmont Stakes. His jockey sustained serious injuries. Irad Ortiz Jr. was scheduled to ride Known Agenda on Saturday but was injured during a Thursday race. He will be out of action for a few weeks. Jose Ortiz will replace him, having only had a day to get to know his horse. Known Agenda is among three horses in the 2021 Belmont Stakes for Todd Pletcher. However, he is the only horse considered to be amongst the favorites at 6-1 odds on Saturday.
Bourbonic (15-1) and Overtook (20-1) are Pletcher’s other horses. Both of these horses are long shots according to the most recent Belmont Stakes odds. Known Agenda is among five Belmont Stakes contenders in 2021, with single-digit odds. Essential Quality at 2-1 leads the pack. There is so much to think about as the 6:49 pm. ET post time approaches. ET time is approaching, so you will want to check out Jody Demling’s SportsLine blog before making any 2021 Belmont Stakes predictions or picks.
Demling, an established horse racing journalist who has been talking about and betting on horses for many years, enters the 2021 Belmont Stakes following a major heat in 2020. He picked the winners in six races last year: The Saudi Cup, Gotham Stakes and Rebel Stakes.
Last year, at the Belmont, Demling stated that Tiz the Law was clearly the best field horse and Barclay Tagg’s horse won convincingly by 3 3/4 lengths.
Predictions for the Top 2021 Belmont Stakes
One surprise: Demling does not have Rombauer, the Preakness winner, in his top two for this leg of the Triple Crown. Rombauer was fresh from a six-week vacation and had the Preakness to his advantage. He was only two weeks behind Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. The tables have now turned. Rombauer will enter the 2021 Belmont Stakes following a three-week break. Meanwhile, the four other horses with single digit odds will be getting five weeks of rest.
Demling has secured his Belmont Stakes 2021 picks to the 2-1 favorite, Essential Quality. After winning each of his five first races, the horse was thought to be a potential Triple Crown winner. Essential Quality was the favourite at the Kentucky Derby. However, he traveled wide on both turns and finished fourth. The Preakness was not a problem, and he will be rested for five weeks to prepare for the 2021 Belmont Stakes. If Essential Quality can win the Triple Crown race, it could be a saving grace in a season that began with high expectations.
Demling also called on Hot Rod Charlie. Hot Rod Charlie is listed at 7-2 on the 2021 Belmont Stakes odds boards. Hot Rod Charlie surged to the Kentucky Derby after winning the Louisiana Derby, where he ran strong past O Besos and Midnight Bourbon. The colt finished third at Churchill Downs, a competitive third behind Mandaloun and Medina Spirit.
Hot Rod Charlie, the 2021 Belmont Stakes winner of the Run for the Roses, is the only horse to beat Essential Quality in Louisville. It is notable that the sons of Oxbow have never finished below fifth in any of their eight career starts. Hot Rod Charlie, a thoroughbred that is ready to take the full lap around Belmont Park in his eight career starts, is definitely worth considering as a contender for the 2021 Belmont Stakes.
How to win the 2021 Belmont Stakes Picks and Bets
Demling has called the exact finish of Hot Rod Charlie and Essential Quality in his 2021 Belmont Stakes leaderboard. In his 2021 Belmont Stakes betting, he’s including one of the most long-shots in the field. SportsLine is the best place to find out who the Belmont Stakes 2021 winner is before you make any bets.
Last Updated on November 18, 2021