The 2011 Triple Crown horse racing season ends today with the Grade-1 $1-million running of the 2011 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park near New York City. This race is the ultimate endurance test to see which three-year old can handle the grueling 1 1/2-mile lap. Again, there will not be a Triple-Crown winner, not since Affirmed won the triad in 1978.
The entire field is well trained to run the length today, but the three favorites getting single digit odds got good gate draws on Wednesday. The best gate assignments goes to the Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro, who is getting 4/1 odds out of Gate-6.
Animal Kingdom, the Kentucky Derby winner is the Belmont Stakes Odds favorite getting 2/1 will post from Gate 9. We can almost be assured of a good battle between Nehro and Animal Kingdom.
Preakness winner Shackleford, got the outside draw, getting 9/2 odds out of Gate-12. Shackleford has a longer run from the outside but should have a clear track to run.
Keep your eyes on Mucho Macho Man, coming out of Gate 10. At 10/1 odds, is one of the top long-shots, a horse with great speed and lineage.
Listed below all the Belmont Stakes Odds and starting positions. (favorites in bold)
Gate Horse Jockey Odds
1. Master of Hounds G. Gomez 10/1
2. Stay Thirsty J. Castellano 20/1
3. Ruler on Ice J. Valdivia Jr. 20/1
4. Santiva S. Bridgmohan 15/1
5. Brilliant Speed J. Rosario 15/1
6. Nehro C. Nakatani 4/1
7. Monzon J. Lezcano 30/1
8. Prime Cut E. Prado 15/1
9. Animal Kingdom J. Velazquez 2/1
10. Mucho Macho Man R. Dominguez 10/1
11. Isn't He Perfect R. Maragh 30/1
12. Shackleford J. Castanon 9/2
