The 143rd Belmont Stakes runs Saturday at Belmont Park Elmont in New York. The top horses like Animal Kingdom, Nehro, Shackleford and Mucho Macho Man were covered in a previous post, so it’s time to cover the latter half of the field.
But first, I should touch on the post positions. Belmont Stakes favorite Animal Kingdom will come out of No. 9, which has produced winners historically. Shackleford, who beat Animal Kingdom at the Preakness, is on the far outside at No. 12. Nehro, who finished second at the Kentucky Derby, is at No. 6, which boasts seven winners. Master of Hounds is on the rail, which has the all-time high of 23 winners. Mucho Macho Man finished third in the Kentucky Derby and is at No. 10, which has produced only two winners.
Brilliant Speed has some value at the No. 5 post, which has produced 13 winners. He finished seventh at the Kentucky Derby after winning the Grade 1 Blue Grass. He has finished in the money three our of four times this year.
Santiva comes out of No. 4, which has nine winners. He finished sixth at the Kentucky Derby, second at the Grade 2 Risen Star and won the Grade 2 Jockey Club. He has the experience to keep up and has finished on the board in three of five races.
Prime Cut draws the No. 8 post, which has six winners. He finished third at the Grade 2 Peter Pan and second at the Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes but has never faced Grade 1 competition, nor raced a mile and a half.
Stay Thirsty is at No. 2, which has 11 winners. He finished 12th at the Kentucky Derby and seven in the Florida Derby, so he has trouble with Grade 1 competition. Beyond that, there isn’t much value.
Belmont Stakes Outright Odds (provided by William Hill)
Animal Kingdom: 9/4
Nehro: 4/1
Master of Hounds: 5/1
Shackleford: 11/2
Mucho Macho Man: 8/1
Brilliant Speed: 10/1
Santiva: 16/1
Prime Cut: 20/1
Stay Thirsty: 25/1
Ruler On Ice: 331
Monzon: 50/1
Isn’t He Perfect: 66/1