Angel of Empire Belmont Stakes Odds, History and Predictions (Proven Stakes Results and Win Contender)
Updated:
The final leg of the horse racing Triple Crown is finally here. The field for the 2023 Belmont Stakes was drawn on Tuesday, and nine horses are now set to compete for the win on Saturday, June 10.
One contender everyone has their eyes on ahead of this race is the Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire. Here's everything you need to know about this son of Classic Empire and Brad Cox-trained colt before he vies for the 2023 Belmont Stakes title.
Angel of Empire Belmont Stakes Odds and Post Position
Angel of Empire currently owns 7-2 odds to win the Belmont Stakes according to FanDuel Sportsbook and drew post position No. 8.
Horse
Odds to Win 2023 Belmont Stakes
Post Position
Angel of Empire
7-2
8
Angel of Empire Horse Trainer and Jockey
Angel of Empire is trained by Brad Cox, who also conditions Hit Show and Tapit Shoes in this year's Belmont Stakes. Cox is one of the leading trainers in North America this year and tops all trainers with a 28% win rate on 373 race mounts (starts). Cox won the 2021 Belmont Stakes with Essential Quality.
Angel of Empire's jockey for the 2023 Belmont Stakes is Flavien Prat. The 30-year-old from France rides in his third Belmont Stakes after finishing second in 2021 and fourth in 2022. Prat is one of the leading jockeys in the current Belmont meet, as he's top-5 in earnings for all jockeys this year and three of the last four years.
Angel of Empire Race History
Angel of Empire has won 2-of-4 stakes starts this year and also finished third in the Kentucky Derby. He's trying to become the first Pennsylvania-bred horse to win the Belmont Stakes in more than 100 years.
Date
Track
Race
Finish
May 6, 2023
Churchill Downs
Kentucky Derby (G1)
3rd
April 1, 2023
Oaklawn
Arkansas Derby (G1)
1st
Feb. 18, 2023
Fair Grounds
Risen Star Stakes (G2)
1st
Jan. 1, 2023
Oaklawn
Smarty Jones Stakes
2nd
Nov. 14, 2022
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Allowance
1st
Sept. 8, 2022
Kentucky Downs
Allowance
6th
Aug. 9, 2022
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Maiden Special Weight
1st
Angel of Empire Belmont Stakes Prediction and Pick
Angel of Empire is a win contender and a closer that will have to come from the back of the pack. He's finished in-the-money in all four stakes starts this year and he was very much advantaged by the hot pace set up in the Kentucky Derby when rallying for third place.
Even with a moderate pace setup, Angel of Empire's strong turn of foot will serve him well and his trainer says the colt has been working fantastic since the Kentucky Derby. Angel of Empire adds blinkers for more focus and as long as there's no dropoff in speed from his last two races, he can contend to win and finish in-the-money with the marathon distance only a minor concern.
Check out more Belmont Stakes coverage from The Duel:
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.