Belmont Stakes Picks 2021: Vegas Odds and Predictions After Post Draw

Essential Quality was the favorite to win the 2021 Kentucky Derby, but the colt ended up fourth. Can he have better results at this year's Belmont Stakes?

Rombauer had an impressive showing at the Preakness Stakes, coming strong out of the final turn to overtake the two leaders and race to victory. Perhaps he'll have another solid run at the Belmont.

After Tuesday's post draw, Essential Quality (2-1) and Rombauer (3-1) are the two favorites heading into the Belmont, and the colts will be starting alongside each other in the Nos. 2 and 3 posts, respectively. And there's a strong chance one of them will end up winning the race, which is set for Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Here's a look at the full lineup and odds for this year's race, along with predictions and more.

Lineup, Odds

1. Bourbonic 15-1

2. Essential Quality 2-1

3. Rombauer 3-1

4. Hot Rod Charlie 7-2

5. France Go de Ina 30-1

6. Known Agenda 6-1

7. Rock Your World 9-2

8. Overtook 20-1

Odds via Belmont Stakes

Preview, Predictions

As Rombauer looks to claim victories in two-thirds of the Triple Crown, the colt will have a new jockey aiming to take him to the winner's circle. Flavien Prat has opted to ride Hot Rod Charlie in the Belmont, rather than sticking with Rombauer.

But Rombauer will still have a top jockey, as John Velazquez will be aboard him at the Belmont. The 49-year-old, a four-time Kentucky Derby champion, is a two-time winner at the Belmont, having rode Rags to Riches in 2007 and Union Rags in 2012.

Trainer Mike McCarthy had never won a Triple Crown race before Rombauer's Preakness victory. Now, it's possible he could win a pair three weeks apart, even if the second comes with a different jockey after Prat had already committed to riding Hot Rod Charlie in the Belmont before becoming Rombauer's jockey for the Preakness.

"It would have been nice to get Flavien back in the saddle. Obviously, there is a wonderful chemistry between horse and rider," McCarthy said, per Tom Pedulla of Horse Racing Nation. "But I’m over the moon to have John Velazquez."

While the Hall of Famer could ride Rombauer to victory, there are some strong horses in the field that the colt will have to outrun.

Essential Quality may not have lived up to the Kentucky Derby hype when he placed fourth in the race, but that may have just been a rare off day. He had won each of his previous five races, including victories at the Southwest Stakes and Blue Grass Stakes earlier this year.

However, the Derby provided Essential Quality with his greatest competition yet, and there will again be plenty of strong horses in the Belmont field. Still, the colt is the favorite to win as the race nears.

"He ran what I thought was a winning race in the Derby; he didn't have the trip, but he showed up and he's been improving in every start," trainer Brad Cox said, per the Paulick Report. "I'm confident that he can handle the mile and a half. Just based off his works and his races, he's very steady and doesn't seem to get tired."

Known Agenda (6-1) and Hot Rod Charlie (7-2) could also be contenders to win at the Belmont, especially because they fared well in the post draw and will be starting near the middle of the lineup. However, this race is going to come down to the two best horses, Essential Quality and Rombauer.

Essential Quality will be in a better position late than he was at the Kentucky Derby, and he'll have a small edge entering the final stretch. But Rombauer showcased his strong closing ability at the Preakness, and he'll have an opportunity to do so again Saturday.

Rombauer will pass Essential Quality in the final stretch, as Velazquez becomes a three-time Belmont winner and Rombauer goes two-for-two at Triple Crown events.

Prediction: Rombauer wins the Belmont Stakes