Horse Racing Predictions: Belmont Park Preview, and Odds (June 10)

• Eight graded stakes races feature on the undercard before the Belmont Stakes
• Five Grade 1s among the races involved before this year’s three-year-old stars take to the track

There promises to be a thrilling afternoon of race at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 10, with the action headlined before the 2023 edition of the Belmont Stakes. In total, eight graded stakes races are staged on the undercard, including five Grade 1s. You can find our horse racing predictions for the undercard action here.

Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Saturday, June 10, 2023
• Where: Belmont Park, New York
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

Metropolitan Handicap

Odds

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

The standout race on the undercard comes in the form of the G1 Metropolitan Handicap. A star-studded field will go to post, headlined by William Mott-trained Cody’s Wish. Last year’s winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile returned to action with a dominant performance over seven furlongs in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes, beating Hoist The Gold. If at the same level, and a low draw doesn’t impact him, he’s hard to oppose.

Charge It is a horse that I have always liked, but I was disappointed by his return when fifth in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap. Repo Rocks was a solid winner of the G3 Westchester on his previous start, beating Zandon. White Abarrio could only finish eighth in the G1 Pegasus World Cup on his previous start, while Doppelganger could be the improving colt in this field after landing the G1 Carter Handicap on his most recent appearance.

Horse Racing Predictions

READ MORE: Belmont Stakes Prediction, Preview, and Odds (June 10)

Woody Stephens Stakes

Odds

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

The Belmont Stakes isn’t the only race for three-year-olds on the card, as the Woody Stephens Stakes is competed by horses in the same age bracket over a distance of seven furlongs. Arabian Lion was rumored to be running in the Belmont Stakes, but eventually lands here. The Bob Baffert runner was excellent on his previous start, but I’m not convinced that a return to seven furlongs is best for him.

Drew’s Gold looks like a very interesting play in this race, despite having to overcome a very wide draw. He boasts one of the highest speed figures in this race, and was last seen winning over six furlongs at Belmont Park in the Gold Fever Stakes. That run saw him score a rating of 104, as he stormed clear of the field in a very impressive manner.

General Jim makes a very obvious case after landing the G2 Pat Day Mile on his previous start, but the fact that he carries a penalty this weekend in such a competitive race is a concerning factor. A second dart in this race is thrown at Victory Formation for trainer Brad Cox.

The three-year-old looked like a potential start last season after winning the Smarty Jones over a mile, beating possible Belmont Stakes favorite Angel of Empire. However, it hasn’t gone to plan over extended distances this term, and a return to seven furlongs could bring the best out of him.

Horse Racing Predictions

Manhattan Stakes

Odds

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

The final race before the Belmont Stakes comes in the form of the Manhattan Stakes, run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles on the turf. Todd Pletcher certainly appears to have a leading chance of landing both prestigious races on Saturday, as Up To The Mark heads the betting for jockey Irad Ortiz.

The four-year-old was last seen winning over 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs, landing the G1 Turf Classic with a speed figure of 109. However, I would have a slight concern that he was beaten on his only previous career start at Belmont. Red Knight is the old boy in the field, but the nine-year-old was excellent when landing the G1 Man O’ War on his previous start. Rockemperor has always had talent, but he’ll need to come on from his fourth in the G2 Fort Marcy.

Charlie Appleby’s ridiculous strike rate in the U.S. is hard to ignore, and I’m amazed that Ottoman Fleet isn’t favorite for this race. The four-year-old looks the best horse in this field, having landed the G2 Fort Marcy in smooth style at Belmont last month. That was his second win of the campaign, after beating Poker Face in the G3 Earl of Sefton Stakes. For my money, he’s the best chance of an Appleby winner across the weekend in North America.

Horse Racing Predictions

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