The first half of 2021 has been littered with huge racing action, and that will continue into the second half of the year with some more compelling action around the world.
However, which races are set to take place in the second half of the year, and which horses could potentially win these races?
Belmont Stakes
The first huge race in the second half of the year is the final Triple Crown of the season. The Belmont Stakes will take place in June, as the best three-year-olds in training in the United States line-up for the final time this year in Triple Crown competition.
Medina Spirit won the opening race at the Kentucky Derby, before Rombauer won the Preakness Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby winner won’t be involved at the Belmont Stakes, as the NYRA has suspended Bob Baffert. The Belmont Stakes could be an interesting contest, with Essential Quality returning after losing his perfect record at Churchill Downs.
Hot Rod Charlie is another that could run well after missing the Preakness Stakes. Bet on Belmont stakes online with TwinSpires.com.
St Leger Stakes
It won’t be just the American Triple Crown that will be coming to an end in the second half of the year, as the third and final English Triple Crown is also run. The St Leger is one of the oldest races in the world of racing, as its first renewal took place way back in 1776.
Nowadays, horses that are three years old compete over one mile and six furlongs on the turf, and it serves as the final leg of the series after the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby.
It’s very rare in this modern day that we see a horse try and win all three of the races, which makes for a very competitive betting market for the St Leger before the declarations are made.
High Definition and Bolshoi Ballet are currently the two shortest-priced runners that could compete in the final Triple Crown race of the season. High Definition returned to the track in May, as he finished third in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes. Hurricane Lane, who won that race, is also one that could target the St Leger.
Bolshoi Ballet could be a much smaller price closer to the day, as the three-year-old has been in excellent form so far this season, as he has won on both runs at Leopardstown.
Melbourne Cup
The biggest race in Australia also takes place in the second half of the year, as the Melbourne Cup will captivate audiences around the world at the beginning of November.
The betting for the race is still wide open at this stage, with many questioning the horses that will be lining up for the famous race at Flemington.
Prince of Arran for trainer Charlie Fellows is currently the narrow favourite at the top of the betting, and it’s likely that he will once again be travelling to Australia to compete in the famous race once again.
He competed in the Melbourne Cup last year, and finished a close third behind Twilight Payment. He is yet to win since returning to the track and was recently beaten by Ascot Gold Cup hero Stradivarius at Ascot.
Other likely contenders that we could see at the Melbourne Cup in November include Tiger Moth and Tawnawa. One Ruler and Kilcruit could also be outsiders with a chance.
Kilcruit came second at the Cheltenham Festival, before winning over two miles at the Punchestown Festival by a dominant four and three-quarter lengths from O’Toole.
