2009 Belmont Stakes Odds / Preview

2009 Belmont Stakes Preview – Belmont Park 2009

Event: 3rd Leg Of The 2009 Triple Crown – The 2009 Belmont Stakes
Date: Saturday June 6th, 2009
Location: Belmont Park in Elmont, NY
Post Time: 1PM (EST)

The Belmont Stakes will be run this Saturday June 6th at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. This race is the third jewel of the Triple Crown and the longest of all three. We have already seen a 50-1 shot, Mine That Bird win the Kentucky Derby and had a philly, Rachael Alexandra run away from all the colts in the Preakness so you have to wonder what surprises are in store for us in the Belmont. Here is a preview of the top contenders for Saturday’s race along with their current odds from Bodog.com.

Charitable Man (7/2)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin, Jockey: Alan Garcia. This horse did not run in either the Derby or the Preakness as his trainer has been saving him for this race. He did win The Peter Pan in his last outing by 3 ¾ lengths. Look for him to be a factor in this race as he likes to run in the mid pack and break at the end.

Chocolate Candy (13/1)
Trainer: Jerry Holledorfer, Jockey: Garrett Gomez. After finishing a strong 5th in the Derby they decided to hold him out of the Preakness to prep for this race. He already has two stakes wins this year and has shown the ability to handle long distances. He would be a good mid odds pick and has a legitimate chance to win.

Dunkirk (9/2)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher, Jockey: John Velazquez. He finished 11th in the Derby and did not run in the Preakness. His best finish in a major stakes race this season was second at the Florida Derby. This horse has the stamina for a race of this distance and should be able to run near the front the whole way.

Flying Private (16/1)
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas, Jockey: Julien Leparoux. This horse is one of the few contenders to run in both the Derby and the Preakness. While he finished dead last in Kentucky, he rebounded with an impressive 4th place finish in Baltimore. Given the distance of this race, it is questionable whether he has the ability to seriously compete for the win, but could be a factor in the place and show bets.

Mine That Bird (2/3)
Trainer: Bennie Woolley, Jockey Calvin Borel. This horse has been the story in this year’s Triple Crown. Going off as a 50-1 shot in the Derby, he shocked the racing world with his come from behind victory. In the Preakness, he closed hard and lost to Rachael Alexandra by ¾’s of a length. He is no longer a long shot, but a prohibitive favorite to win this race. Being reunited with jockey Calvin Borel , who rode him in the Derby should only improves his chances to win.

Mr. Hot Stuff (20/1)
Trainer: Eoin Harty, Jockey: Edgar Pradd. He finished 15th in the Derby and did not run in the Preakness. He finished 3rd in both the Sham Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby, but has no major victories to his credit this year. He could be a factor early, but will most likely fade down the stretch.

Mine That Bird is the overwhelming favorite to win this race and for good cause. With Rachael Alexandra out of the Belmont, he is clearly the best horse in the field.

He should have no problem handling the distance and in a much less crowded field can run at his own pace.

2009 Belmont Stakes Prediction:

My prediction for this race is,

Win: Mine That Bird

Place: Chocolate Candy

Show: Dunkirk.

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