What<\/strong>: 142nd running of the Belmont Stakes Let\u2019s not kid ourselves; this year\u2019s Belmont Stakes field is a bit subpar. We have no Triple Crown race winners and just four Kentucky Derby participants racing this Saturday.<\/p>\n The good news is that the race is wide open as a result and it sets up for some fun prop bets.<\/p>\n Here are a few to try.<\/p>\n Dave in Dixie: +2500 OK, so it\u2019s not a typical \u201cprop,\u201d but we\u2019ll open with my pick for the race. First Dude has plenty of supporters and the \u201cbig name\u201d horse of the field, Derby runner-up Ice Box, is the favorite. But I like his stablemate Fly Down. He\u2019s the only horse in the field to win on the Belmont surface before, he prepared for Saturday by running three straight nine-furlong races and he even left Belmont contender Drosselmeyer behind by sixth lengths when he won the Dwyer-G2.<\/p>\n Pick: Fly Down +500<\/p>\n Break record of 2:24:00: +10000 Notice how all the slower times are favored? Those odds reflect the perceived weakness of the field. I would lean toward picking a slower time considering that even the top contenders aren\u2019t particularly accomplished and there hasn\u2019t been buzz about any one horse truly \u201cwowing\u201d with Beyer Speed Figures leading up to this weekend. Pick: 2:27.01 to 2:28.00 +200<\/p>\n Over 1.5 lengths: -115<\/p>\n Under 1.5 lengths: -115 Ice Box: -125<\/p>\n First Dude: -105 Pick: First Dude -105<\/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>\nODDS TO WIN THE 2010 BELMONT STAKES<\/h3>\n
\nSpangled Star: +3000
\nUptowncharlybrown: +1200
\nMake Music For Me: +900
\nFly Down: +500
\nIce Box: +250
\nDrosselmeyer: +1500
\nGame On Dude: +1000
\nStately Victor: +1200
\nStay Put: +2500
\nFirst Dude: +375
\nInteractif: +1200<\/p>\nWHAT WILL THE WINNING TIME BE?<\/h3>\n
\n2:24.00 to 2:25.00: +5000
\n2:25.01 to 2:26.00: +1200
\n2:26.01 to 2:27.00: +300
\n2:27.01 to 2:28.00: +200
\n2:28.01 to 2:29.00: +175
\n2:29.01 and above: +300<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/HorseRacing\/HorseRacing_250x250_mybanner.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMARGIN OF VICTORY<\/h3>\n
\nSome bettors will immediately leap on the UNDER, presuming that a weaker field automatically means a close race. I disagree. To me, a weaker field means any horse that happens to be \u201con\u201d this Saturday could totally annihilate the competition. I wholeheartedly expect a victory margin OVER 1.5 lengths.
\nPick: Over 1.5 lengths -115<\/p>\nFAVORITES HEAD TO HEAD<\/h3>\n
\nThe overall race favorite Ice Box is predictably favored to best the No. 2 favorite First Dude. Call me crazy, but I think Ice Box will be a minor disappointment in the Belmont Stakes. His running style is very specific and, sometimes, limiting. He starts slowly and likes to close on opponents late. The problem is that any race that doesn\u2019t fit his specific comfort zone \u2013 say, one with lots of traffic in the pack or one in which the field sets a rapid pace \u2013 doesn\u2019t suit Ice Box. What are the odds that the Belmont ends up tailored perfectly to his strengths? I\u2019d lean toward First Dude for that reason.<\/p>\nBetUS Sportsbook has your odds, free picks and betting trends. Do you have your horse? GET DOWN NOW ON THE 2010 PREAKNESS – CLICK HERE BET NOW!<\/a><\/h3>\n