Forte Belmont Stakes Odds, History and Predictions (Race Favorite Gallops for Sixth Straight Win)

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 opening favorite, Forte. He's won five straight races ahead of the Belmont Stakes but hasn't raced since April 1. Here's everything you need to know about this Todd Pletcher-trained colt before he vies for the 2023 Belmont Stakes title.

Forte Belmont Stakes Odds and Post Position

Forte currently owns 5-2 odds to win the Belmont Stakes, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and drew post position No. 6.

Forte Horse Trainer and Jockey

Forte is trained by Todd Pletcher, who also conditions the second-favorite by the odds in Tapit Trice. Pletcher is one of the leading trainers in North American this year, and he won the 2022 Belmont Stakes with Mo Donegal earning the top trainer his fourth Belmont Stakes victory.

Forte's jockey for the 2023 Belmont Stakes is Irad Ortiz, Jr. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican has won the Belmont Stakes twice in eight attempts including last year aboard Mo Donegal for trainer Todd Pletcher. Irad and his brother Jose are the leading jockey's in the current Belmont meet, and Irad boasts the best win rate at 32% of his mounts.

Forte Race History

Forte has won six of his seven career starts, including four Grade 1 races. He last raced on April 1 in the Florida Derby.

Forte Belmont Stakes Prediction and Pick

Forte is the favorite but is one of six horses in this year's race that could conceivably win it. Forte was the Kentucky Derby favorite but was scratched the day of the race with a bruised hoof. Trainer Todd Pletcher says his breezes ahead of the race have been very good.

That being said, the colt now tries the grueling 1 1/2 mile distance without a race under his saddle for 10 weeks. Forte also has a shaky pedigree on both sides of his sire and dam line, which brings this dirt marathon distance into question. That has us passing on Forte for a win bet, but there are still options to use underneath in exotics.

With a trainer and jockey who've both won here before, Forte is in great hands. He's talented, but we're not sure he's fit enough to win this marathon race coming off a long layoff, even despite trainer Todd Pletcher saying on Tuesday that he believes Forte is "the best 3-year-old in the crop, and we think he'll prove that Saturday."

Check out more Belmont Stakes coverage from The Duel:

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.