OffshoreInsiders Handicapping Blog

It could be a historic day at Belmont Park on Saturday, as Big Brown tries to become only the 12^th horse ever and the first in 30 years to win the elusive Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.

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Either due to his own dominance or to the questionable strength of the field around him, Big Brown is a huge favorite to win the Belmont at 2/5. It looked like Big Brown’s run at Affirmed - the last Triple Crown winner - might be in jeopardy a few weeks ago after a crack was discovered in his left front foot. However, the crack was found to be very minor and Big Brown went through his regular training regimen without any problems leading up to the Belmont. For added safety a synthetic patch was applied to the hoof on Friday which should all but erase any doubts regarding Big Brown’s health.

Judging by the rest of the odds for the 140^th running of the Belmont, the only horse the oddsmakers think has a real chance to upset Big Brown is Casino Drive, listed at 7/2. In his very short racing career Casino Drive is undefeated in two races, both of which were impressive victories. In his maiden, which took place in Japan, Casino Drive utterly destroyed the rest of the field, winning by 11 ½ lengths. In his first race on American soil, Casino Drive won the Peter Pan Stakes by 5 ¾ lengths.

Following Big Brown and Casino Drive on the Belmont odds is a former challenger of Big Brown, Denis of Cork at 12/1. Denis of Cork last raced in the Kentucky Derby and finished third behind Big Brown and the late Eight Belles. Also returning from the Derby field to take another shot at Big Brown is Tale of Ekati at 20/1 and Anak Nakal at 30/1. Tale of Ekati finished fourth in the Derby, while Anak Nakal was seventh.

There will also be two horses from the Preakness Stakes field running in the Belmont. They include Macho Again, a 20/1 Belmont underdog, and Icabad Crane, also listed at 20/1. Macho Again finished as runner-up to Big Brown, while Icabad Crane followed him in third place.

Odds to win Belmont Stakes

Big Brown 2/5
Casino Drive 7/2
Denis of Cork 12/1
Icabad Crane 20/1
Macho Again 20/1
Tale of Ekati 20/1
Anak Nakal 30/1
Da’ Tara 30/1
Ready’s Echo 30/1
Guadalcanal 50/1