What<\/strong>: 142nd running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes The Belmont Stakes, the longest and most demanding of the three Triple Crown races will be run this Saturday, June 5th<\/sup> at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. This is a grade I stakes race for three year old Thoroughbreds with a total prize purse of $1,000,000. It is contested on a dirt track over a distance of\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 \u00bd mile.<\/p>\n With Kentucky Derby winner;\u00a0Super Saver<\/strong> and Preakness winner;\u00a0Lookin at Lucky<\/strong> opting not to run in this race, for the second year in a row there will be three different winners in this fabled trio of races. Here is brief look at this year\u2019s contenders for the Belmont along with their current odds to win on Saturday. The current odds-on-favorite at 2-1 is\u00a0Ice Box<\/strong>. Trained by Nick Zito and ridden by Jose Lezcano, this horse made a gallant run in the Derby to close to 2 \u00bd lengths to take second behind Super Saver. Previously he had won the grade I Florida Derby back in March. After a fairly rough ride in the Derby, Zito decided to hold him out of the Preakness so he would be ready for this race.<\/p>\n The two second favorites currently at 4-1 are\u00a0First Dude<\/strong> and\u00a0Fly Down<\/strong>. First Dude did not run in the Derby but set the leading pace in the Preakness before being outrun down the stretch by Lookin at Lucky to finish second, just \u00be lengths back. Previously he finished third in the grade I Blue Grass Stakes back in March. This will be the first Triple Crown race for Fly Down, who is also trained by Zito. In his last outing on May 9th<\/sup> he won the grade II Dwyer Stakes at this very track.<\/p>\n A couple of other horses to watch in this one are\u00a0Game On Dude<\/strong>, currently at 8-1 and\u00a0Stately Victor<\/strong> at 12-1. Game On Dude is trained by Bob Baffert and will be ridden by Martin Garcia. This will also be his first Triple Crown race as he failed to qualify for the Derby but finished fifth in the Derby Trial and won the grade III Lone Star Derby on May 8th<\/sup>. Stately Victor is trained by Michael Maker and will be ridden by Alan Garcia. While he finished a disappointing eighth in the Kentucky Derby, this horse\u2019s claim to fame is a win in the Blue Grass Stakes going off at 40-1 odds.<\/p>\n If you are looking to bet a long shot then one horse to keep in mind is\u00a0Uptowncharlybrown<\/strong>, who is currently listed at 15-1. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Rajiv Maragh, this horse has been waiting for his moment to burst into the spotlight. He had a third place finish in the Sam F. Austin, took fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby, and finished third in the Lexington.<\/p>\n
\nDate<\/strong>: June 5, 2010
\nLocation<\/strong>: Belmont Park, Elmont NY
\nPost Time<\/strong>: First race is 11:35 a.m. \/ Stakes: Post Time Approximately 6:32 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n