Bet on the Belmont Oaks
The Belmont Oaks Invitational has undergone several name changes since the inaugural running in 1979. Originally known as the Rare Perfume Stakes, the race was renamed the Garden City Breeders’ Cup Handicap in 1998 and, after being run as a Grade 3 and then a Grade 2, was awarded coveted Grade 1 status in 1999. In 2014, the race was rechristened as the Belmont Oaks Invitational and the purse was bumped to $1 million. In addition to the increase in the purse, the distance was increased from a mile and an eighth to a mile and a quarter.
Online Racebook Guide
Horseplayers can take advantage of several perks that come from utilizing an online racebook and can cash in on competitive rebates and incentives, all through the convenience of a computer or mobile device.
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Belmont Oaks Betting Odds
Despite the heavy favorite Lady Eli delivering in spectacular fashion, there was still some value to be had in the exotics as 35-1 longshot Itsonlyactingdad rallied for second over 5-1 Outstanding (IRE) and Sentiero Italia at 14-1. The exacta returned $69.50 and the trifecta paid $550. With a racebook like Bovada, there is even more value up for grabs as they offer 3% win-or-lose rebates on all straight wagers and 5% back on exotics.
2016 Belmont Oaks Contenders
The field has been set for the Belmont Oaks Invitational and there are twelve fillies trying to dethrone the brilliant Catch a Glimpse.
Catch a Glimpse, the 2-1 morning line favorite, is another in a list of stars for trainer Mark Casse this year. Since finishing fifth in her debut as a juvenile, she has not lost and capped off her two-year-old season last year with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). This year, she is four for four and defeated male rivals, including Belmont Derby (G1) contender Airoforce, last time out in the Penn Mile (G3).
Her main opposition will come from Ballydole (IRE), a Group-1 winner in France who is making her stateside debut for the always formidable Aiden O’Brien. She was sixth in her last start against world class competition. Trainer Chad Brown has no shortage of contenders and will saddle Pricedtoperfection, Noble Beauty and Last Waltz (IRE).
Here is the field for the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes along with morning line odds.
1. Secure Access, 30-1
2. Decked Out, 15-1
3. Pricedtoperfection, 20-1
4. Time and Motion, 6-1
5. Noble Beauty, 20-1
6. Harmonize, 10-1
7. Ballydoyle (IRE), 3-1
8. Auntie Joy, 12-1
9. Last Waltz (IRE), 30-1
10. Land Over Sea, 20-1
11. Magnanime (GB), 10-1
12. Catch a Glimpse, 2-1
13. Coolmore (IRE), 12-1
Did you know?
No trainer has been more dominant in the Belmont Oaks Invitational than trainer Chad Brown. He has saddled the past four winners of the race and with likely a loaded arsenal of talented three-year-old turf fillies at his disposal this year, will be shooting for his fifth straight victory. He has won the race with Samitar (2012), Alterite (FR) (2013), Minorette (2014) and Lady Eli (2015).
Jose Santos has been aboard the winner of the Belmont Oaks Invitational four times. He won his first edition in 1989 with Highest Glory and repeated with Aishah (1990), Dazzle Me Jolie (1991) and Lucifer’s Stone (2004).
One of the most noteworthy winner of the race is Personal Ensign, regarded by many as one of the all-time great horses in history. As a sophomore, she earned the fifth victory of her career in the race, then known as the Rare Perfume Stakes. She would ultimately retire undefeated from thirteen starts with a stunning victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
