2018 Belmont Stakes Winner and Final Results
The 2018 Belmont Stakes was won by Justify, who closed strongly down the stretch to claim victory in the 150th Belmont Stakes. This performance added a decisive Grade I win to his Triple Crown campaign, producing a sixth consecutive victory and cementing an undefeated championship season. In the final strides, Justify drew clear of rival Gronkowski, who finished second, while the favored albeit front-running Roy H finished third. The race was run on June 9, 2018, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, under fast track conditions over the 1 1/2 mile (12 furlongs or approximately 2414 meters) dirt distance.
Official Race Results and Placings
The following table presents the verified official finishing order, post times, final margins, and payouts for the top finishers in the 2018 Belmont Stakes, sourced from the race’s official chart and historical records.
| Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Post Position | Time to Finish | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 3 | 2:29.48 | Winner |
| 2 | Gronkowski | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | 5 | 2:29.67 | (neck) | 3 | Roy H | Kent Desormeaux | Peter Miller | 6 | 2:29.95 | (2 1/2 lengths) |
| 4 | Noblezada | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | 4 | 2:30.25 | (4 1/4 lengths) |
| 5 | Mendelssohn | John Velazquez | Chad Brown | 1 | 2:30.77 | (7 1/4 lengths) |
| 6 | Catholic Boy | Junior Alvarado | Luis Sanguinetti | 2 | 2:30.83 | (7 3/4 lengths) |
| 7 | Monomoy之情Jose Lezcano | William Badget Jr. | 7 | 2:31.63 | (12 3/4 lengths) |
Key Contenders and Pre-Race Expectations
Heading into the 2018 Belmont Stakes, the field blended Triple Crown survivors and promising graded stakes horses. Justify entered as the undefeated champion after victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, making him the 2–5 morning-line favorite. Roy H, who had won the Metropolitan Handicap and Santa Anita Handicap, was viewed as the main rival on a favorable pace. Mendelssohn, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner, and Noblezada, who had won the Florida Derby, were also highly regarded. The race received a full field, and post time was set in the late morning to accommodate national television coverage.
Race Context and 2018 Triple Crown Narrative
Winning the 2018 Belmont Stakes gave Justify a decisive sixth win of the year and completed what would be recognized as a Triple Crown, as the New York Racing Association and most major media organizations counted all three victories under his belt. His performance in the Belmont emphasized his closing ability, as he rated behind the early pace before producing a sustained drive in the top furlong. For Bob Baffert, the win marked another classic milestone, building on prior success in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and reinforcing his reputation for preparing elite middle-distance performers.
Race Track Conditions and Setup
Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, hosted the event on a fast main track, which favors bold early fractions and strong stretch runs. The 1 1/2 mile distance tests stamina, tactical speed, and late durability, and the 2018 running drew comparisons to previous renewals featuring front-running speed horses and closers. The race is typically timed to align with major television windows, and the 2018 edition followed standard summer scheduling at the historic venue.
Notable Storylines and Aftermath
- Undefeated championship season: Justify’s 2018 campaign remained flawless from the Santa Anita maiden race through the Belmont Stakes.
- Gronkowski’s effort: Trained by Todd Pletcher, Gronkowski closed tenaciously to secure second in a blanket finish against Roy H and Noblezada.
- Roy H’s strong run: Roy H’s third-place finish highlighted the quality of Peter Miller’s stable and kept his record in elite company intact.
- International representation: Mendelssohn and Catholic Boy added depth to a field with multiple Grade I winners and stakes performers.
Legacy and Historical Standing
In historical context, the 2018 Belmont Stakes is remembered as the decisive race of an undefeated Triple Crown season and a showcase of modern middle-distance racing in North America. Justify’s performance aligned with classic-chasing patterns of speed, tactical patience, and formidable closing strength, and the race drew significant public interest because of the stakes’ prestige and the winner’s unblemished record. The contest remains a useful reference point for comparing future Triple Crown winners and evaluating how horses handle the 1 1/2 mile trip on a fast Belmont Park main track.