2023 Belmont Stakes Post Positions

Last Updated: June 9, 2023 12:57 PM EDT • 8 min 25 sec read. Twitter link

With the final leg of U.S. thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown nearly here, James Bisson is here to take a look at just how important post position is at the Belmont Stakes, along with post position trends that might provide some insight into the best bets for 2023 when perusing the odds at our best horse racing betting sites.

Tapit Shoes has drawn the coveted No. 1 post position for Saturday's running of the Belmont Stakes – but will historical trends be on the long shot's side? Or will one of the top pre-race contenders by the Belmont Stakes odds stake their claim to the final race on the 2023 U.S. thoroughbred Triple Crown slate?

Here's a breakdown of the Belmont Stakes post positions, along with the results of this year's draw to help you make your Belmont Stakes picks.

Post position refers to the stall or gate number from which a horse starts a race.

In horse racing, horses are assigned a specific post position before the race begins. The post positions are typically numbered, and each horse is assigned a number that corresponds to a specific stall or gate at the starting point of the track.

The post position determines the starting location of the horse in relation to the rail and other horses. It can have an impact on the horse's race strategy, the distance it needs to travel to reach the first turn, and its chances of securing a favorable position early in the race.

The post positions for the Belmont Stakes are determined through a random drawing process. The drawing usually takes place the Tuesday morning before the race.

During the drawing, a numbered pill or a marble representing each horse's entry is placed in a blind draw machine. The machine is then activated, and the pills or marbles are mixed thoroughly. The race officials or representatives from the participating horses or their connections take turns drawing the pills or marbles from the machine.

As each pill or marble is drawn, the corresponding number is assigned to the horse, determining its post position for the race. The process continues until all the post positions have been assigned to the participating horses.

This random drawing ensures fairness and prevents any bias or manipulation in determining the post positions for the Belmont Stakes.

The post position numbering system in horse racing typically follows a sequential order, starting from the inside rail and progressing outward. Here is a general description of the numbering system used for post positions:

The highest post position number is typically determined by the number of participating horses in the race. For example, with the 2023 Belmont Stakes boasting a nine-horse field, entrants are numbered one through nine.

With the 2023 Belmont Stakes post position draw having officially taken place Tuesday, you're now ready to check out our lists of the best horse racing betting sites to determine the best places to make your picks.

Here's a look at the post position list and odds for the 2023 Belmont Stakes (odds courtesy FanDuel):

(odds updated June 6)

The Belmont Stakes post position draw is a significant event as the starting position can impact a horse's chances of winning. However, the historical data shows that the success rate of horses in the Belmont Stakes does not necessarily follow a clear pattern based on post position.

Here are the number and percentage of Belmont Stakes winners from each post position since Belmont Park first used a starting gate:

Horses starting from the No. 1 slot have easily been more successful than any other in Belmont Stakes history, winning more than 18% of the time. Interestingly, though, there has been just one winner from the No. 1 hole since 2003; that was Justify in 2018.

Though post position does mean plenty for a horse's prospects, bettors would be wise not to use it as the sole barometer for determining which wagers to make.

We'll ignore the results from starting positions 10 and higher, since it's rare to see the Belmont field that large (and this year's race features just nine entrants). Of the single-digit starting positions, No. 9 has been the least fruitful with just four winners starting there.

Using post position to handicap the Belmont Stakes involves considering the historical performance and characteristics of horses based on their starting positions. Here are some factors to consider when using post position as a handicapping tool:

It's important to note that post position is just one factor among many to consider when handicapping a race. It should be used in conjunction with other relevant information, such as a horse's form, jockey, trainer, class, and recent performances, to make informed betting decisions.

The No. 1 spot has produced the most winners in Belmont Stakes history, with 24.

Ignoring results from larger-field Belmont Stakes races, the No. 9 spot has been the least prolific of the single-digit starting spots, producing just four champions.

Post positions in the Belmont Stakes are typically determined through a random draw conducted by race officials, assigning each horse a specific starting gate position.

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