The 2020 Triple Crown will begin Saturday with the 152nd running of The Belmont Stakes. We are used to the Belmont being the final leg of the Triple Crown, but thanks to Covid-19, it will be the lead-in event to the series for the first time.

152nd Belmont Stakes Picks

When it comes to the odds, No. 8 Tiz the Law has been installed as the clear favorite with 6-5 odds. The New York-bred horse has come out of the gates smoking hot, as he has four wins and a third-place finish in five career starts. A couple of those wins were big victories, including The Florida Derby and The Champagne Stakes, which took place at Belmont.

Just some tidbits about the race: This year’s 152nd Belmont Stakes will be conducted spectator-free and with all participants following strict safety protocols, like social distancing and wearing masks. The New York weather on Saturday is expected to be wet, with likely afternoon t-storms and highs in the lower 80s. A wet track is highly possible, but make sure to check the weather again come race day. The 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes will leave the gate at 5:42 p.m. ET. Additionally, the Belmont Stakes will run 1⅛ miles rather than the traditional 1½ miles.

Predictions:

I know Tiz the Law is a beast, but because of the layoff and wet weather conditions expected, I like a couple of horses with + odds that have a chance to knock off the favorite for the 152nd Belmont Stakes.

Tap It To Win +600

The son of Tapit, Mark Casse’s Tap It To Win drew the rail and I see him as the most dangerous threat to Tiz The Law on Saturday. He has won both of his starts in 2020 and he has fitness and feel on his side as he just beat the field earlier this month on this track. Given his heritage, it would not shock me one bit to see him power through at the end and pull this race out. As long as he is not intimidated by the jump in class, he should be there at the end.

Dr. Post +500

Todd Pletcher, winner of three career Belmont Stakes, has a great shot to win the race again this year.

Pletcher’s Dr. Post had a 1 1/2-length win at the Unbridled Stakes on April 25 at Gulfstream Park, and has won two of his first three career races. He drew the outside post position No. 9. Distance is my only concern, but if he does not run out of juice, the odds are nice here on a Pletcher horse.

Tiz the Law to Show

If you want a safe bet online for the 152nd Belmont Stakes and are ok paying some juice, throw some money down on Tiz the Law to Show. Make sure you shop around for the best odds.

While many others might not be ready for this race or the length, this grandson of Tiznow will still be going strong at the end of the race. He won the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in March by 4¼ lengths, and no other horse in the field has two Grade 1 wins in addition to two speed figures topping 100 or more.