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The oldest of the three Triple Crown events, the Belmont Stakes predates the Preakness by six years, the Kentucky Derby by eight; this will be the 153rd renewal.

Run over 1 1/2 miles, the Belmont Stakes is one of eight Group 1 clashes at Belmont Park - part of a thirteen-race card also featuring a Group 2. 2021 sees the Belmont back in its traditional place as the third jewel of the Triple Crown, after last season's interrupted season when it was the first of the classics.

Tiz The Law  was the worthy winner of the 2020 race. Preakness winner Rombauer is expected to line up to try and win two legs of the Triple Crown. Jockey Flavien Prat has elected to take the ride on Hot Rod Charlie in the Belmont instead, in what appears to be something less than a vote of confidence for the classic winner. Prat rode Hot Rod Charlie  to a third place in the Derby at Churchill Downs. John Velasquez takes over on Rombauer, as his Preakness mount, and Kentucky Derby first-past-the-post, Medina Spirit will miss this race. NYRA have elected to suspend all of trainer Bob Baffert's horses for its tracks in New York, including Belmont Park, pending an investigation into the failed drugs test from this.

Rebel's Romance  is a highly fancied runner from Charlie Appleby's stable. Fresh from winning the UAE Derby, this Godolphin challenger has good form on the Meydan all-weather.

Essential Quality  is the likely favourite, and he goes up against a probable field to include Known Agenda and Japan's France Go De Ina, whose connections are in for a $1 million bonus iif he wins the Belmont Stakes,

Midnight Bourbon , runner-up to Rombauer in Preakness 146, will miss the Belmont.

The weekend's action at Belmont Park begins on Friday, 4th June. An 11-race card starts with the post time of the first race at 12.50pm EST / 5.50pm BST/ 6.50pm CET