Belmont Stakes 2016: Updated Predictions, Betting Lines and Post Time

The final race in the Triple Crown series will be run on Saturday, when a field of 13 horses attempts to win the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes. 

The post time is set for 6:32 p.m. ET, with the race being broadcast on NBC (coverage begins at 5 p.m. ET) and NBC Sports Live Extra.

Below are the post positions and odds for the race:

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Governor Malibu	Christophe Clement	Joel Rosario	12-1
2	Destin	Todd Pletcher	Javier Castellano	10-1
3	Cherry Wine	Dale Romans	Corey J. Lanerie	15-2
4	Suddenbreakingnews	Donnie Von Hemel	Mike Smith	13-2
5	Stradivari	Todd Pletcher	John Velazquez	15-2
6	Gettysburg	Steve Asmussen	Paco Lopez	30-1
7	Seeking The Soul	Dallas Stewart	Florent Geroux	30-1
8	Forever d'Oro	Dallas Stewart	Jose Ortiz	30-1
9	Trojan Nation	Patrick Gallagher	Aaron Gryder	30-1
10	Lani	Mikio Matsunaga	Yutaka Take	12-1
11	Exaggerator	Keith Desormeaux	Kent Desormeaux	11-10
12	Brody's Cause	Dale Romans	Luis Saez	12-1
13	Creator	Steve Asmussen	Irad Ortiz Jr.	20-1

Since Exaggerator beat Nyquist at the Preakness Stakes—and since Nyquist had to pull out of the Belmont—he's been the prohibitive favorite in New York. And then he got a strong post position in the race, too.

“It's a wonderful, wonderful position,” jockey Kent Desormeaux told the Associated Press (via the Los Angeles Times). “I can't see any horse that would cross over on him. I'd like to establish position preferably without him getting a grain of sand in his face."

He added, "If I could have a dream run, I dream him forwardly placed and just being able, dreamingly, to decide when to pull the trigger.” 

In that scenario, it's pretty hard to envision anybody in the field beating Exaggerator, a horse who would have had a much stronger resume if he hadn't run into Nyquist so many times and come up short so many times. None was more heartbreaking than at the Kentucky Derby, when Exaggerator's late push came up just short, as Nyquist had the endurance to hold off his rival.

That wasn't the case at the Preakness, however, when the muddy conditions favored Exaggerator and he took advantage of the opportunity. 

Cherry Wine—who surprised everyone and finished second at the Preakness—is certainly one of Exaggerator's top competitors. But Cherry Wine's deep-closer running style may hinder him at the Belmont, as Mike Curry of America's Best Racing noted:

"

The Belmont Stakes has not been especially kind to deep closers over the last 25 years. Twenty of the last 25 winners of the Belmont Stakes (1991-2015) were within five lengths of the pace after the first half-mile and only three times in the last 25 years was the victor more than five lengths back with a half-mile left to race. For Cherry Wine to win, he might need to be a little closer to the pace than usual or start his bid a little sooner than usual. The problem is, closers often have one big run that lasts about a quarter of a mile or three-eighths of a mile, and the effectiveness of that rally can be jeopardized by taking the horse out of his/her comfort zone.

"

Because Exaggerator is a bit more versatile in his running style, it's hard to imagine Cherry Wine topping the favorite. Cherry Wine should finish in the top three but won't win the Belmont.

The other top competitors should be Suddenbreakingnews, Governor Malibu, Stradivari, Creator and Destin.

Suddenbreakingnews is another closer who may struggle with the longer distance at the Belmont. Governor Malibu's general lack of big-race experience is a concern and will likely keep him out of the money. Stradivari just hasn't shown enough in the past to warrant serious consideration for the win. Creator will benefit from having a pacesetter entered into the field (Gettysburg) and could sneak into the money.

Destin is intriguing, however. He only finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby, sure, but but his tactical running style and ability to stay on the pace without over-exerting himself early in the race, should play perfectly at the Belmont. 

Will he be able to hold off Exaggerator or even Cherry Wine down the stretch? 

Exaggerator, no. Cherry Wine, yes. Those three horses will round out your top three at this year's Belmont Stakes.

Prediction: 1. Exaggerator 2. Destin 3. Cherry Wine

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