Belmont Stakes Essential Quality Draws Post 2, Named 2/1 Morning Line Favorite for Belmont Stakes June 1, 2021 Essential Quality (Credit: Coady Photography) Belmont Stakes Essential Quality Draws Post 2, Named 2/1 Morning Line Favorite for Belmont Stakes June 1, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, NY – Godolphin homebred Essential Quality drew post 2 and was named the 2/1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s 153rd running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) Presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park.A total of eight 3-year-old males comprise the field for the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Inside Track to the 2021 Belmont Stakes Subscribe to Racing Dudes Premium and receive our MONSTER wagering guide to the 2021 Belmont Stakes absolutely FREE! Get Racing Dudes Premium Essential Quality, the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion, was the 5/2 favorite with an undefeated record entering the Kentucky Derby (G1), where a wide trip kept him a head from crossing the wire in third. The Brad Cox trainee will once again have Luis Saez in the irons as he seeks to right the ship in what will be his seventh career start.“Luis has a ton of confidence in the colt and he’s confident Essential Quality can get the distance,” Cox said. “We’re hopefully set up for a big race Saturday.”Finishing just a head past Essential Quality in the Kentucky Derby was Hot Rod Charlie (7/2), who drew post 4 for his second start on the Triple Crown. The Doug O’Neill trainee won the Louisiana Derby (G2) earlier this season and will once again receive the riding services of Flavien Prat.“With the distance, I think it will suit him well,” O’Neill said. “He’s won going 1 3/16 (miles) in the Louisiana Derby. I think his gate speed and versatility will be an asset as well.” Racing Dudes 2021 Belmont Stakes Wagering Guide and Picks Presale Prat’s decision to pilot Hot Rod Charlie left the recent Preakness Stakes (G1) champion Rombauer (3/1) in need of a rider. A suitable replacement was found in Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who will exit aboard the Michael McCarthy trainee from post 3 for the Belmont Stakes.“He’s had several different riders and it’s not something that’s bothered me,” McCarthy said. “It would have been nice to have Flavien back, but I feel we have a wonderful substitute. This has been Johnny’s home track for 25+ years and he’s very familiar with this race and the way it plays out. I’m very happy with where I’m at.”Here’s the full field for the 2021 Belmont Stakes: POSTHORSEJOCKEYTRAINERM/L ODDS 1BourbonicKendrick CarmoucheTodd Pletcher15/1 2Essential QualityLuis SaezBrad Cox2/1 3RombauerJohn VelazquezMichael McCarthy3/1 4Hot Rod CharlieFlavien PratDoug O'Neill7/2 5France Go de InaRicardo Santana Jr.Hideyuki Mori30/1 6Known AgendaIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd Pletcher6/1 7Rock Your WorldJoel RosarioJohn Sadler9/2 8OvertookManny FrancoTodd Pletcher20/1
Kentucky Derby 2025 Contenders Update & Sam F. Davis Preview | Blinkers Off 705 The Racing Dudes take a look at the current 2025… Read More
Tampa Bay Downs Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 579 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Tampa Bay Downs on… Read More
Super Bowl Picks and Prop Plays | Dudes Who Bet Sports 225 Aaron & Papa Dude give their picks for the Super… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Prep Picks: Holy Bull, Robert B. Lewis & Withers | Blinkers Off 704 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for three 2025… Read More
Gulfstream Park Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 578 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Gulfstream Park on Saturday… Read More
Risen Star Stakes Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds… Read More
Sunland Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park &… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Latest News & Top 5 | Risen Star Kicks Off Major Prep Series Aaron recaps all the action from last weekend, including the… Read More
Triple Crown 2025 Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: East Avenue Returns in Risen Star Stakes Each week, get the standings, power rankings, and recent transactions for… Read More
Gulfstream Park FREE Win Picks and Star Plays | February 9, 2025 Get our FREE win picks at Gulfstream Park on February… Read More