The Belmont Stakes is just around the corner, and big money will be bet around. Of course, as a bettor, you want in on the fun as there are many betting opportunities and payouts to be had.
That said, if it’s your first time betting on a huge horse racing event, some questions are probably floating around your noggin, and that’s okay. The Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the Triple Crown, so we won’t blame you if you want to do right by some tips proven effective in huge horse racing events. So let’s not delay this further and start!
1. Check the Surface
The official track surface of the Belmont Stakes is dirt. The Belmont Stakes is the main track of the entire Triple Crown, nicknamed Big Sally. However, as a beginner, you might consider this important. In reality, the track surface is a huge factor in horse racing, particularly the horses involved.
You see, thoroughbreds have preferences when running. Some thoroughbreds like running on dirt, and some like synthetic or turf. Again, why should we care what the horses’ prefer? This all boils down to what type of thoroughbred you’re betting on. Some thoroughbreds are heavy-footed, while some are light-footed. Heavy-footed horses find it hard to run on dirt since they burrow their hooves too much, impeding their speed.
Let them run on a synthetic one, and they’ll be much faster because nothing is impeding the strength of their stride. On the other hand, light-footed horses run fine on dirt, synthetic, and turf. However, their speed is much slower than heavy-footed thoroughbreds. That said, if you’re betting on a heavy-footed horse on the Belmont Stakes, you might want to change your mind.
2. Shop for Bets
If you want to maximize your payouts, one thing you could do is shop for bets at Fanduel.com for Belmont Stakes. Bookmakers are often different when it comes to prices and payouts. The differences are not drastic, as it’s usually just a dollar or two. However, you’ll add to your payout when you make it a habit to bet on multiple bookmakers. It might be too small of a change in the short run, but that dollar or two could become hundreds in the long run.
3. Get to Know the Trainers
Both horses and jockeys are only as good as their trainers. The trainer is in charge of training both the jockey and horse to get acquainted with one another, settle with one another, or in other words, build their chemistry. They’re also in charge of the health of the horse, their training routine, etc.
That said, it’s important to know the trainers when you look at the racing form. All trainers have track records, which can give you an insight into how their pairs will perform during the race. So, for example, if you see a popular trainer who had a few wins on the Belmont Stakes, you already have a good bet on your hands.
4. Avoid Parlays
Parlays, also called accumulators, are a prevalent form of betting for veteran and high-roller bettors. Why? This is because parlays are very lucrative.
So how does a parlay work? Suppose you have multiple horses that you want to bet on. Instead of making a bet on each one of them, you can put them all in one singular bet. For example, if you’re confident with horses #1 and #2 winning their separate races, you can put them all in a parlay to increase your payout. If you bet $5 on each, you’ll have at least $20 if you win.
Sounds interesting, right? They give out very high payouts, especially if you continue stacking on winning bets. But that’s the thing; you need to win consistently without any losses to increase your payouts. If you lose even a single bet on your parlay, your total bet is categorized as a loss.
5. Know Your Jockeys
Jockeys also provides good insights into how they and their horses will perform during a horse racing event. Just as some trainers are synonymous with different courses, some jockeys have become synonymous with specific events and tracks. For example, there’s Ruby Walsh, who has been the leading jockey in Cheltenham, and there’s also Ryan Moore, who is the man to beat in Ascot.
But why are some jockeys good at specific locations and events? Some jockeys have particular skill sets that they can use in specific locations. These skills are optimal for a specific race, which comes in handy to you as a bettor. Also, trainers tend to pair them with strong horses so that their advantage will only get stronger. But of course, they also have to have some chemistry with their horse to win.
6. Determine the Signs of a Confident Horse
Just like human athletes, horses show signs that give us a clue about how well the horse will perform during the race. One of the things that you should look into first is its track record. If it has won its recent races, then you can assume that it’s a good bet since it might be looking for a win soon. Also, its chances of winning are improved if it has won the race at least once.
Another thing you should look into, especially if you’re in the event yourself, is their behavior. If the horse has a steady strut, looks calm, and has regular breathing, then you can say that it’s ready to race. Otherwise, it might not be prepared. Of course, you should bet on the former.
Final Words
The Belmont Stakes is right around the corner, and there will be many betting opportunities and money to be had, so it’d be a shame to miss out on it. The Belmont Stakes alone is a fun event to attend since a lot of bigwigs will be attending. However, if you want to go home a few hundred dollars richer, you might want to follow our tips. These tips are proven to be effective, and many veterans still use them to this day.