One year after leading off the Triple Crown during a horse racing season turned upside down because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Belmont Stakes returns to its normal place on the calendar as the final leg of the three-race series. The starting gate opens in the 2021 Belmont Stakes on Saturday at 6:49 p.m. ET at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. In addition, the race known as the Test of the Champion will be run at its traditional 1½-mile distance; last year’s edition was run at 1⅛ miles.
The Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the 2021 Belmont Stakes odds, while surprise Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer is second in the Belmont odds at 3-1. Other top Belmont Stakes 2021 contenders in this $1.5 million race include Hot Rod Charlie (7-2) and Rock Your World (9-2). With an…
