Belmont Stakes 2023 contenders, horses, field, lineup, odds: Expert who nailed Preakness unveils picks

The 2023 Belmont Stakes will feature nine three-year-olds, with Florida Derby winner Forte the favorite at 5-2 odds. However, SportsLine writer Gene Menez, who has a successful track record in horse racing handicapping, is not high on Forte due to declining speed figures and concerns about his ability to handle the 1½-mile distance after a 10-week layoff. Instead, Menez is backing 8-1 longshot Arcangelo, who he believes has the pedigree to excel at the distance and is coming off a career-best win in the Peter Pan Stakes. Menez is also high on a double-digit longshot who is “sitting on a big effort.” The Belmont Stakes has historically favored favorites, with the betting favorite winning 42.9% of the 154 previous editions, including the last three years and four of the last five. The 2023 Belmont Stakes post time is 7:02 p.m. ET.