Belmont Stakes 2021 Post Time: NBC TV Start Time, Final Predictions and Odds

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes have taken place. Now, it's time for the final leg of the Triple Crown schedule to occur Saturday evening in Elmont, New York.

Although there's no Triple Crown in play this year, the Belmont Stakes should bring plenty of excitement, with Essential Quality and Preakness champion Rombauer among the likely winners.

Rombauer didn't race in the Kentucky Derby, but he could become the first horse not trained by Bob Baffert to win both the Preakness and Belmont since Afleet Alex in 2005. And while that wouldn't be quite the same as the Triple Crown, it would still be a remarkable showing for the colt.

Here's everything else you need to know as Saturday's race draws closer.

2021 Belmont Stakes Info

Date: Saturday, June 5

Post Time: 6:47 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC

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, Final Prediction

Trainer Michael McCarthy knows Rombauer is going through an unusual situation. After winning the Preakness with jockey Flavien Prat, it would make sense for the team to be back together for the Belmont. However, Prat had already committed to riding Hot Rod Charlie in the Belmont before the Preakness.

But, who better to turn to than two-time Belmont winner John Velazquez?

McCarthy recently told reporters that the jockey switch is a "non-issue" to him. It helps that Velazquez is an experienced jockey who has had plenty of success at this level. Not only that, but he even won this year's Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit.

Rombauer is on a roll. Velazquez knows what it takes to win. And McCarthy is looking to earn his second career win at a Triple Crown event three weeks after notching his first at the Preakness.

In order to win, Rombauer may need another final surge to take the lead. At the Preakness, he passed both Medina Spirit and Midnight Bourbon in the final stretch. 

Essential Quality didn't get off to the best start at the Kentucky Derby (in which he finished fourth), but he's likely to break better from the gate this time. And he's had past success, having won his first five career races prior to the Derby.

As long as Rombauer doesn't drop too far back, though, he's going to remain a threat to win.

Once Rombauer surges ahead, he will be in good position to hold off the pack down the stretch and prevent Essential Quality from taking back the lead. Velazquez's experience will play a role, and he will make sure to guide Rombauer to the front at the right time.

It should be an exciting race that stays close from wire to wire and provides a thrilling finish to the Triple Crown schedule. And at the end, Rombauer will be remembered for notching a pair of strong victories with some impressive late passes. It will also mark the first time that Rombauer has won back-to-back races in his career.

Prediction: 1. Rombauer; 2. Essential Quality; 3. Known Agenda.