2021 Belmont Stakes field and morning-line odds

Overtook and Bourbonic train for the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)

June 1st, 2021

Essential Quality, the beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1) five weeks ago, will look to make amends in Saturday's $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1), the third and final leg of the Triple Crown.

Last year's juvenile champion was installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. The field was reduced to eight after the withdrawal Tuesday morning of UAE Derby (G2) winner Rebel's Romance, who, like Essential Quality, is owned by Godolphin.

Preakness S. (G1) winner Rombauer was installed as 3-1 second choice, with Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Hot Rod Charlie a close third choice at 7-2, following his third-place effort in the Kentucky Derby.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Rock Your World, whose disastrous start at Churchill Downs relegated the frontrunner to the back and changed the complexion of the first classic, is 9-2 on the morning line.

Florida Derby (G1) winner Known Agenda, a non-factor in the Kentucky Derby, is one of two in the field for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won the Belmont three times.

	Trainer	Jockey	ML Odds
1. Bourbonic	Todd Pletcher	Kendrick Carmouche	15-1
2. Essential Quality	Brad Cox	Luis Saez	2-1
3. Rombauer	Michael McCarthy	John Velazquez	3-1
4. Hot Rod Charlie	Doug O'Neill	Flavien Prat	7-2
5. France Go de Ina	Hideyuki Mori	Ricardo Santana Jr.	30-1
6. Known Agenda	Todd Pletcher	Irad Ortiz Jr.	6-1
7. Rock Your World	John Sadler	Joel Rosario	9-2
8. Overtook	Todd Pletcher	Manny Franco	20-1