Horse racing odds: Introduction to Saratoga, best bets for Belmont Park

The Triple Crown races are in the rearview mirror. The second half of the season officially kicked off last weekend. Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal is out for the rest of this year with minor issues. Trainer Todd Pletcher has an ace up his sleeve.

The Saratoga race meet starts on July 14 and runs through Labor Day. The races attract an average attendance of more than 25,000 spectators. Highlights of the meet include the Travers Stakes, the Jim Dandy and the Whitney Stake. Chad Brown is a heavy favorite to be leading trainer after his record-setting Belmont Park meet. Saturday will feature the first legs of Turf Triple races. The TurF Triple is for colts, one for fillies and all races are run on the grass. There is purses of $1 million and $700,00. Bel Montmont is still one more weekend before Saratsoga.

Royal Patronage is the favorite to win the Belmont Derby. Concert Hall is trained by O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. With The Moonlight is a horse trained and driven by Appleby and Dettori. McKulick is one of three horses trained in the race by Brown. Irad Ortiz has the mount.

BELMONT OAKS PICKS. with The Moonlight to win. Exacta boxes 4-10 and 4.1.