How to bet the Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes

A fleet field of eight will speed six panels over the inner lawn at Belmont Park in Thursday's $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint (G3). The field boasts a pair of runners that figure to dictate the action from the opening bell in the dash, and if the duo can avoid an early duel, I think both could be right there at the finish. 

Belmont Turf Wagers

• $1 superfecta 6,10 with 1,4,6,7,10 with 1,4,6,7,10 with 1,4,6,7,10 ($48)

The New York-bred #6 Waralo has been excellent since moving to the grass and has compiled a strong 8-5-2-1 mark on the green in his lifetime. Trained by Chris Englehart, the seven-year-old son of War Dancer comes off a trio of fine tries in 2026, which includes two stakes tallies and a big run against a deep cast in the Troy S. (G2) at Saratoga most recently. 

Waralo has big early foot for this one, which will allow jockey Jose Lezcano to have the seven-year-old forcing the tempo early on. The dark bay gelding sports a 6-4-2-0 mark at the distance and could surely be the one with his best showing. 

#10 Jean Valjean is a six-time victor on the sod from 11 career assignments on the grass and comes off a game score in the Disco Partner S. at Saratoga last time out. The Elizabeth Merryman pupil was clear at the turn for home in his latest venture, and after being passed in the lane, the chestnut son of Uncle Lino battled back to secure a neck tally in a brave effort. The Pennsylvania-bred might benefit from being drawn outside of the other pace in the cast with Jomar Torres retaining the mount.

If the top duo does duel in the early stages of the heat, then multiple runners could benefit. Potential favorite #7 Twenty Six Black was third as the 4-5 choice in the race last campaign and is consistently very good for trainer Horacio de Paz. The War Dancer six-year-old has accumulated five wins from 10 career efforts at the distance, and he owns a win and a second from a pair of local runs on the sod. He has been working in swift fashion and will have Manny Franco in the irons. 

Defending champ #1 Alogon is an obvious contender in the field for Edward Allard, while Group 3 heroine #4 Egyptian Mau faced some very good ones earlier this year and might possess the best closing burst in the group for Neil Drysdale.