To watch the 2018 Belmont Stakes full race replay and highlights, the most reliable sources are the official NBC Sports and NYRA (New York Racing Association) YouTube channels. These high-definition broadcasts document Justify’s historic wire-to-wire victory, which secured the 13th Triple Crown in American horse racing history under jockey Mike Smith.
The 2018 Belmont Stakes remains one of the most significant events in modern Thoroughbred racing. As we look back from 2026, the race stands as a testament to the brief but explosive career of Justify, a horse that redefined what was possible for a three-year-old. Whether you are a dedicated turf writer or a casual sports fan, revisiting the 150th running of the "Test of the Champion" offers a deep dive into tactical brilliance and raw athletic power.
Where to Find the Best 2018 Belmont Stakes Replays on YouTube
When searching for the 2018 Belmont Stakes on YouTube, the quality and perspective of the video can vary significantly. For the most comprehensive experience, viewers typically look for three specific types of coverage: the original NBC broadcast, the NYRA overhead view, and the post-race analysis.
The NBC Sports Official Broadcast
The official NBC Sports replay is the gold standard for viewers. It includes the iconic call by Larry Collmus, whose voice has become synonymous with Triple Crown history. This version provides the most emotional resonance, capturing the roar of the crowd at Belmont Park as Justify turned for home. NBC’s coverage also includes the "ISO cam" on Mike Smith and Bob Baffert’s reaction from the boxes, providing a multi-dimensional view of the achievement.
NYRA’s High-Definition Replays
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) maintains an extensive archive on YouTube. Their upload of the 2018 Belmont Stakes often includes the "panoramic view" and the "tight shot." The panoramic view is particularly useful for handicappers and students of the sport who want to see the positioning of the entire 10-horse field throughout the 1.5-mile journey. This perspective shows how Justify successfully neutralized his rivals early in the race.
Highlight Reels vs. Full Race Footage
For those short on time, several sports networks have curated three-to-five-minute highlight reels. However, the true essence of the Belmont Stakes is the "grind." The 2018 race was a masterclass in pace management. Watching the full race replay—which lasts roughly 2 minutes and 28 seconds—allows you to see the subtle shifts in momentum, such as when Gronkowski began his massive late surge from the back of the pack.
The Field: Justify’s Rivals in the 150th Belmont Stakes
While Justify was the heavy favorite entering the 150th Belmont Stakes, the field was deep with talent. Understanding who he ran against provides necessary context for just how impressive the victory was. Justify wasn't just running against the clock; he was running against fresh horses specifically aimed at stopping his Triple Crown bid.
- Gronkowski: Named after the legendary NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski (who was in attendance), this horse provided the biggest scare of the race. After a slow start that saw him trailing the field by double-digit lengths, he closed with incredible speed to finish second.
- Hofburg: Trained by Bill Mott, Hofburg was many experts' "wise guy" pick. He was a lightly raced horse with a pedigree built for the 12-furlong distance. He ultimately finished a respectable third.
- Vino Rosso: The winner of the Wood Memorial, Vino Rosso would later go on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, proving he was a world-class athlete. In the 2018 Belmont, he finished fourth.
- Tenfold: Coming off a very strong third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes, Tenfold was expected to challenge the lead but struggled to keep pace with Justify’s relentless tempo.
2018 Belmont Stakes Order of Finish and Odds
| Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Closing Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 4/5 (0.80) |
| 2nd | Gronkowski | Jose Ortiz | Chad Brown | 24/1 |
| 3rd | Hofburg | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Bill Mott | 3/1 |
| 4th | Vino Rosso | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 7/1 |
| 5th | Tenfold | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steve Asmussen | 12/1 |
| 6th | Bravazo | Luis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas | 11/1 |
The Race Strategy: How Mike Smith Won from the Front
The 2018 Belmont Stakes was a tactical masterpiece by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. To appreciate the YouTube highlights, one must understand the difficulty of the 1.5-mile dirt track at Belmont Park, often referred to as "The Big Sandy." It is the longest dirt track in North America, and many Triple Crown dreams have died in the final 200 yards.
Breaking from Post 1
Justify drew the rail (Post 1), which is often considered a disadvantage in long races because it forces the horse to go to the front or risk being pinned along the inside. Smith made the decision to "send" Justify immediately. By the first turn, Justify had cleared the field, allowing Smith to move out slightly from the rail into the "path of gold"—the part of the track that was playing fastest that day.
Controlling the Fractions
The secret to Justify’s victory was the controlled pace. In the replay, you can see Smith sitting remarkably still as they pass the grandstand for the first time. The split times were:
- 1/4 Mile: 23.37 seconds
- 1/2 Mile: 48.11 seconds
- 3/4 Mile: 1:13.21 seconds
- 1 Mile: 1:38.09 seconds
These fractions were fast enough to keep the closers at bay but slow enough to preserve Justify’s energy for the home stretch. By the time the field hit the mile mark, Justify still had "plenty in the tank," a phrase Larry Collmus used during the live call.
The Final Turn and Stretch Run
As the field rounded the massive final turn at Belmont, the pressure mounted. Vino Rosso and Tenfold tried to make a move, but Justify rebuffed them effortlessly. The most dramatic moment in the replay occurs in the final furlong. While Justify appears to be cruising, the dark silhouette of Gronkowski emerges from the far outside. Despite the late charge, Justify crossed the wire 1 3/4 lengths ahead.
Historical Significance: Breaking the "Curse of Apollo"
When you watch the 2018 highlights today, you are watching more than just a race; you are watching the destruction of a 136-year-old statistical anomaly. Before Justify, no horse had won the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year-old since Apollo in 1882. This was known in the industry as the "Curse of Apollo."
Justify did not even make his first career start until February 18, 2018. In the span of just 111 days, he went from an unknown maiden to a Triple Crown winner. This meteoric rise is unprecedented in the history of the sport. His victory at Belmont made him only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner, joining the ranks of the legendary Seattle Slew (1977).
The Bob Baffert Legacy
The 2018 Belmont Stakes also solidified Bob Baffert’s place as the premier Triple Crown trainer of the modern era. After ending the 37-year Triple Crown drought with American Pharoah in 2015, Baffert achieved the feat again just three years later. Watching the 2018 replay highlights the consistency of Baffert’s program, which emphasizes speed, stamina, and mental toughness.
Comparing Justify and American Pharoah
For fans watching these races on YouTube in 2026, the comparison between the two 21st-century Triple Crown winners is inevitable. While both horses were trained by Baffert, their styles and paths were different.
- Preparation: American Pharoah was a champion as a two-year-old and had a traditional path to the Derby. Justify was a "late bloomer" who compressed a career's worth of achievements into a single spring.
- The Belmont Performance: American Pharoah’s Belmont was a tour de force, winning by 5 1/2 lengths in a much faster time (2:26.65) than Justify (2:28.18).
- The Track Conditions: Justify’s Triple Crown run was arguably more physically demanding. He won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes on "sloppy" and "muddy" tracks, respectively, requiring immense grit. By the time he reached the dry, fast track at Belmont, he had already overcome the worst weather the Triple Crown could throw at him.
Technical Aspects of the 2018 YouTube Replay
When viewing these highlights, several technical elements help explain the race's difficulty. Belmont Park’s layout is unique. The sweeping turns are much wider than those at Churchill Downs or Pimlico. This can be disorienting for jockeys, who often "move" too early, thinking they are closer to the finish line than they actually are.
In the YouTube replays, look for the "furlong poles"—the colored poles along the rail. At Belmont, the green poles mark the 1/4 mile intervals. Mike Smith’s ability to keep Justify's rhythm consistent through these poles is what ultimately won the race. Even as the "stamina wall" hit the other horses, Justify maintained a stride length of nearly 25 feet, a measurement confirmed by Trakus data during the broadcast.
The Aftermath and Retirement
The 2018 Belmont Stakes was the final race of Justify's career. Shortly after the Triple Crown win, he was sidelined with swelling in his ankle and was officially retired to stud in July 2018. This early retirement was controversial among fans who wanted to see him compete in the Breeders' Cup, but it preserved his perfect 6-for-6 record.
From the vantage point of 2026, Justify’s legacy has transitioned to the breeding shed. His offspring have already begun making their own marks on the Triple Crown trail, ensuring that the highlights of the 2018 Belmont Stakes remain relevant as we watch the next generation of champions.
FAQs About the 2018 Belmont Stakes
Who won the 2018 Belmont Stakes?
Justify won the 2018 Belmont Stakes, becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner in history. He was ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Bob Baffert. Justify led the race from start to finish, fending off a late charge from the runner-up, Gronkowski.
What were the payouts for the 2018 Belmont Stakes?
Justify paid $3.60 to win, $3.50 to place, and $2.80 to show. Gronkowski, at 24/1 odds, paid $13.80 to place and $9.30 to show. The $2 exacta (1-6) paid $89.00, while the $1 trifecta (1-6-4) paid $229.50.
How many horses ran in the 2018 Belmont Stakes?
A total of 10 horses competed in the 2018 Belmont Stakes. The field included Justify, Gronkowski, Hofburg, Vino Rosso, Tenfold, Bravazo, Noble Indy, Restoring Hope, Blended Citizen, and Free Drop Billy.
What was Justify’s winning time in the Belmont Stakes?
Justify completed the 1.5-mile (12 furlongs) race in 2:28.18. While this was not a record-breaking time (Secretariat’s 2:24 remains the gold standard), it was a strong performance given the pressure of the Triple Crown quest and the pace he set.
Is the 2018 Belmont Stakes available in 4K on YouTube?
Most official replays from NBC Sports and NYRA are available in 1080p Full HD. While 4K broadcasts were not the standard for horse racing in 2018, the 1080p versions provide excellent clarity, allowing viewers to see the details of the horses and the expressions of the jockeys.
What was the weather like during the 2018 Belmont Stakes?
Unlike the 2018 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, which were held in torrential rain and mud, the 2018 Belmont Stakes was held under "fast" track conditions with clear skies. The temperature was approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit, providing ideal conditions for the horses and the 90,327 fans in attendance.
Final Recommendation for Viewers
To get the most out of the 2018 Belmont Stakes full race replay highlights YouTube search, start with the NBC Sports 6-minute extended cut. It provides the necessary pre-race tension and the post-race celebration. After watching the broadcast view, switch to the NYRA panoramic replay to appreciate the tactical positioning that allowed Justify to dominate the race. This combination of emotional storytelling and technical analysis offers the most complete understanding of Justify's historic achievement.
