2018 Belmont Stakes Full Results: Winner, Final Odds, and Triple Crown History

The 2018 Belmont Stakes resulted in a historic victory for Justify, who secured the 13th Triple Crown in American horse racing history. Finishing the 1.5-mile course in 2:28.18, Justify defeated runner-up Gronkowski and third-place Hofburg. Going off as the heavy 4/5 favorite, Justify’s win cemented his legacy as one of the few undefeated Triple Crown champions.

On June 9, 2018, the eyes of the sporting world were fixed on Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The 150th running of the Belmont Stakes was not merely a race; it was a date with destiny. Justify, a massive chestnut colt trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith, arrived at the "Test of the Champion" seeking to become the second Triple Crown winner in four years, following American Pharoah’s drought-breaking run in 2015.

The challenge of the Belmont Stakes is unique in global thoroughbred racing. At 12 furlongs (1.5 miles), it is the longest of the three Triple Crown jewels, requiring a rare combination of speed, stamina, and tactical brilliance. In 2018, the track was rated as "fast," providing the ideal surface for a front-running powerhouse like Justify to attempt to lead from start to finish.

Comprehensive 2018 Belmont Stakes Full Results

The field for the 2018 Belmont Stakes consisted of 10 elite three-year-olds. While Justify was the undisputed center of gravity for bettors and fans alike, the field featured several formidable challengers, including the late-closing Hofburg and the European sensation Gronkowski.

2018 Belmont Stakes Official Finishing Order and Odds

The Betting Landscape and Final Odds Analysis

Betting on the 2018 Belmont Stakes was dominated by the quest for the Triple Crown. Justify opened as the prohibitive favorite and remained so throughout the betting window. His final odds of 4/5 reflected the public's immense confidence in his ability to handle the distance, despite concerns about his fatigue following grueling wins in the Kentucky Derby and a very close finish in the Preakness Stakes.

Justify (4/5): As the favorite, Justify provided a relatively low return for bettors, but he was considered the "safe" play for those wanting to witness history. His $3.60 payout on a $2.00 win bet was one of the lower returns in recent Belmont history, comparable to American Pharoah's 3/4 odds in 2015.

Gronkowski (24/1): The "value play" of the race was undoubtedly Gronkowski. Named after the star NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was also a minority owner, the horse had originally campaigned in Europe. His second-place finish at long odds created massive payouts for vertical exotic bets.

Hofburg (3/1): Many professional handicappers viewed Hofburg as the horse most likely to upset Justify. Trained by the legendary Bill Mott, Hofburg had a pedigree designed for the Belmont distance. While he ran a respectable race to finish third, he never truly threatened Justify’s lead.

Exotic Wagering Payouts

The inclusion of a 24/1 longshot (Gronkowski) in the second position significantly boosted the exotic payouts for the race:

• $2.00 Exacta (1-6): $89.00
• $1.00 Trifecta (1-6-4): $229.50
• $1.00 Superfecta (1-6-4-8): $1,051.50

These payouts illustrate the rewards available to bettors who looked past the favorite for the "under" positions in their tickets.

Technical Race Breakdown: How the Race Was Won

The 2018 Belmont Stakes was a masterclass in pace management by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. To win the Belmont, a jockey must have a "clock in their head," ensuring the horse does not burn too much energy in the first mile, leaving nothing for the final quarter-mile "stretch" that has defeated so many Triple Crown hopefuls.

The Start and Early Fractions

Justify broke cleanly from the rail (Post 1), which is often a difficult position at Belmont. Mike Smith immediately urged him forward to take the lead, preventing the horse from being pinned against the rail by the rest of the field. By the first quarter-mile, Justify had established a comfortable lead, setting a fraction of :23.37.

The Backstretch

As the field moved into the backstretch, Justify maintained a steady, rhythmic gallop. The half-mile was reached in :48.11, and the mile in 1:35.82. These were relatively moderate fractions for a horse of Justify’s caliber. By not being pushed into a "speed duel" early on, Justify was able to conserve the stamina required for the final turn.

The Turn and Finish

Entering the far turn, Vino Rosso and Tenfold attempted to close the gap, but Smith remained motionless on Justify, showing the horse’s immense cruising speed. As they entered the homestretch, Justify widened his lead. While Gronkowski made a furious late charge from the back of the pack to secure second, he was never going to catch the leader. Justify crossed the wire 1 3/4 lengths ahead.

Detailed charts of the race can be found via Equibase, the official provider of racing statistics.

The Significance of Bob Baffert and Mike Smith

The 2018 victory cemented Bob Baffert’s status as arguably the greatest trainer in the history of the American Triple Crown. With Justify, Baffert became only the second trainer to win the Triple Crown twice, joining James "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons (1930 and 1935).

Mike Smith, at age 52, became the oldest jockey to win a Triple Crown. His experience was vital in navigating the unique layout of Belmont Park, known as "Big Sandy" due to its deep, tiring surface. Smith’s ability to keep Justify relaxed throughout the 1.5-mile journey was the defining technical aspect of the victory.

Justify’s Unique Path to Greatness

Justify’s 2018 campaign was unprecedented for several reasons:

1. Breaking the "Curse of Apollo": Before Justify, no horse had won the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year-old since Apollo in 1882. Justify accomplished this feat, proving that modern training methods could overcome century-old statistical trends.
2. Undefeated Status: Justify retired shortly after the Belmont Stakes with a perfect 6-for-6 record. He joined Seattle Slew as the only other horse to win the Triple Crown while remaining undefeated.
3. Compressed Schedule: Justify won all six of his career races within a span of just 111 days. This rapid ascent from an unknown maiden winner in February to a Triple Crown champion in June is a feat unlikely to be repeated.

Official historical records maintained by the Belmont Stakes website highlight how Justify's win contributed to the long-standing tradition of the race.

The Field: Where Are They Now?

Reflecting on this race from 2026, many of the participants went on to significant careers in racing and breeding.

• Justify: Retired to Ashford Stud (Coolmore) and has since become one of the most successful young stallions in the world. His offspring have won major races globally, including the Epsom City and Breeders' Cup events, maintaining his influence on the breed's genetics.
• Gronkowski: Continued to race at a high level, notably finishing second in the Dubai World Cup, the richest race in the world at the time.
• Vino Rosso: Later found his peak as a four-year-old, winning the 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic and earning the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Dirt Male.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2018 Belmont Stakes?

Justify won the 2018 Belmont Stakes, ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Bob Baffert. This victory made him the 13th winner of the American Triple Crown.

What were the final odds for Justify in the Belmont Stakes?

Justify went off as the heavy favorite at odds of 4/5 (0.80-1). A $2.00 win bet on Justify returned $3.60.

How many horses ran in the 2018 Belmont Stakes?

There were 10 horses in the field for the 2018 Belmont Stakes. The contenders included runner-up Gronkowski and third-place finisher Hofburg.

What was the winning time for the 2018 Belmont Stakes?

Justify completed the 1.5-mile race in a time of 2:28.18. While not a track record (which is held by Secretariat at 2:24), it was a strong performance on a fast track.

Is Justify the only undefeated Triple Crown winner?

No, Justify was the second undefeated horse to win the Triple Crown. The first was Seattle Slew, who accomplished the feat in 1977 with a perfect record.

What was the payout for a $2 Exacta in the 2018 Belmont?

The $2 Exacta (Justify and Gronkowski) paid $89.00. This relatively high payout for a race won by a favorite was due to Gronkowski's long-shot odds of 24/1.

Summary of the 150th Belmont Stakes

The 2018 Belmont Stakes remains a landmark event in horse racing. It represented the pinnacle of Bob Baffert’s training career and the legendary riding of Mike Smith. For fans, it was the culmination of a three-month whirlwind where a "hidden gem" of a colt emerged from California to dominate the most prestigious races in America.

As we look back from 2026, the 2018 Belmont stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Triple Crown. Despite changes in the industry and shifts in training philosophies, the "Test of the Champion" remains the ultimate benchmark for a three-year-old thoroughbred. Justify did more than just win a race; he joined the immortals of the turf, ensuring that June 9, 2018, would never be forgotten by sports historians.

Recommendation for Fans: To truly appreciate the magnitude of Justify's 2018 run, viewers should study the race charts provided by The Jockey Club and watch the replay of the Preakness Stakes, which immediately preceded the Belmont. The grit Justify showed in the fog at Pimlico provides the necessary context for his dominating performance at Belmont Park three weeks later.