Curlin, winner of the Preakness Stakes and Arkansas Derby is the odds-on favorite to win the 139th running of the Belmont Stakes according to oddsmakers at popular sportsbook Bodog.com. Betting opened at Bodog Thursday morning(June 7) with 6/5 odds chalk on Curlin, the big chestnut colt who dashed favorite Street Sense’s hopes of winning the Triple Crown after recovering from a stumble to win the Preakness. Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun is the second favorite with 5/2 odds while oddsmakers also like the filly Rags to Riches at 3/1.
There will be no showdown of the top three Kentucky Derby colts as winner Street Sense was not entered. The field did get a boost with the entry this week of the only filly to run the race in nine-years, Kentucky Oaks winner Rags to Riches.
The entry of Rags to Riches has added spice to Belmont as Todd Pletcher’s horse will attempt to become the first filly to win a Triple Crown race since Winning Colors won the 1988 Kentucky Derby.
Curlin was being compared to 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones after running away with the prestigious Arkansas Derby in April; however, Street Sense overtook Curlin as Kentucky Derby favorite hours prior to the race. Curlin was bogged down at the back of the pack but finally emerged to place third.
The Arkansas Derby has had some notable winners in recent years, including Smarty Jones in 2004 and Afleet Alex the following year. Both those horses went on to win two legs of the Triple Crown.
Afleet Alex won the Arkansas Derby by eight lengths in 2005, a record that was broken by Curlin.
The Belmont Stakes entries, odds and gate position
1. Imawildandcrazyguy 20/1
2. Tiago 10/1
3. Curlin 6/5
4. C.P.West 12/1
5 Slew's Tizzy 20/1
6. Hard Spun 5/2
7. Rags to Riches 3/1
