Wide Open Belmont May Produce Big Payday
By Carlo Campanella
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Without the possibility of a Triple Crown winner, or the presence of the recent Kentucky Derby or Preakness winners, the Belmont Stakes will not be much of a media darling or attract much attention from the average fan. In fact, it will be only the third time in the past 36 years that the Belmont will not feature a winner from one of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. The last time this phenomenon occurred was back in 2000 when "Fusaichi Pegasus" and "Red Bullet" both failed to show, allowing the 18-to-1 "Commendable" to steal the third jewel of The Crown, and leading a $213 Exacta payoff even with favored "Aptitude" finishing second. With an evenly matched field of up to 10 starters and the lack of a true favorite, this year’s Belmont is geared towards horseplayers and gamblers looking for another big score. The absence of the “horse to beat” will make this one of the most evenly matched and exciting Belmont Stakes in the last decade and allow horseplayers to find exceptional betting value in the Exacta and Trifecta pools.
The Belmont is known for producing upset winners and large payoffs. The 1.5 mile race, which is a .25 mile longer than the Kentucky Derby, is a true test of endurance that most young horses aren’t bred to handle. I've seen some of the best racehorses in the world fail at this extended distance and it’s the major reason why we haven’t seen a Triple Crown winner since "Affirmed" in 1978. Toss in the fact that these Triple Crown competitors were trained to peak for the Kentucky Derby and now those grueling five weeks between the first and third leg have left many of these warriors weak and weary. Since 1999, an amazing four of the seven Belmont winners paid at least $28 to win, including "Lemon Drop" Kid (1999) at $60, "Commendable" (2000) at $38, "Sarava" (2002) at $142, and "Birdstone" (2004) at $74.
With such accomplished favorites as "Smarty Jones", "Funny Cid," and "Charismatic" all failing to win the Belmont at short odds, it would appear that this year’s post time favorite is more vulnerable than ever before. No matter who you like, you can be sure that you’ll get a fair price!
BELMONT STAKES 138 PROBABLE STARTERS |
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Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Last Race |
Bluegrass Cat |
Todd Pletcher |
John Velazquez |
2nd Kentucky Derby |
Bob and John |
Bob Baffert |
Garrett Gomez |
17th Kentucky Derby |
Deputy Glitters |
Tom Albertrani |
Edgar Prado |
8th Kentucky Derby |
Hemingway's Key |
Nick Zito |
Jeremy Rose |
3rd Preakness Stakes |
High Finance |
Richard Violette Jr. |
Eibar Coa |
1st AlwN1X |
Jazil |
Kiaran McLaughlin |
Fernando Jara |
4th Kentucky Derby |
Oh So Awesome |
James A. Jerkens |
Mike Smith |
3rd Match The Hatch Stakes |
Platinum Couple |
Joseph Lostritto |
Jose Espinoza |
6th Preakness |
Sacred Light |
David Hofmans |
Victor Espinoza |
2nd AlwN1X |
Steppenwolfer |
Daniel Peitz |
Robby Albarado |
3rd Kentucky Derby |
Sunriver |
Todd Pletcher |
Rafael Bejarano |
1st Peter Pan Stakes |
Also Possible |
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Cause to Believe |
Jerry Hollendorfer |
Russell Baze |
13th Kentucky Derby |
Sweetnorthernsaint |
Michael Trombetta |
Kent Desormeaux |
2nd Preakness Stakes |
Wilentz |
Joe Orseno |
Joe Bravo |
1st Monmouth Allowance |
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