2009 Belmont Stakes Betting Preview & Early Odds by ATS Consultants

2009 Belmont Stakes betting early preview courtesy of ATS Consultants. Below you will find early horse probables and odds for the third leg of the 2009 Triple Crown, The Belmont Stakes. If you plan on betting this year’s 2009 Belmont Stakes, be sure to check back next week for the official entries, as well as expert betting analysis courtesy of ATS Consultants.

On Saturday, June 6th, at Belmont Park will be the 141st running of the 2009 Belmont Stakes.  The 1.5-mile Grade 1, $1 Million purse is one of six graded races on the scheduled race card.

Be sure to visit ATS Consultants for up-to-the minute odds and betting picks for the 2009 Belmont Stakes.

Known as a true test of endurance, the Belmont Stakes is the oldest and longest race of the three Triple Crown races. And it’s widely regarded as the most difficult to win, just ask the connections of Big Brown, Curlin, and Smarty Jones.

The hype or hope coming into the Belmont Stakes is the potential showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird versus Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra.

If Rachel Alexandra’s connections decide to compete in the Belmont Stakes, she would be given a chance to be the 2nd filly to win this race in the last three years . as Rags to Riches took this race in 2007.

But this certainly won’t just be a two horse race, let’s break down all the potential Belmont Stakes starters as well as your 2009 Belmont Stakes odds.

Brave Victory, trained by Nick Zito, comes into the Belmont Stakes off a 3rd place finish in the Peter Pan Stakes, some 5 lengths behind winner Charitable Man. Brave Victory has shown no indication that he wants, nor can get the 1 ½-Mile Belmont Stakes distance, but let’s not forget Zito’s success in getting to the winners’ circle in the Belmont: 2004 with Birdstone at 50-1 & last year with Da’Tara at 38-1. Much like those Zito entries, Brave Victory will be long odds as well. Projected Odds: 30-1

The afore mentioned Charitable Man comes into the Belmont Stakes off a strong 3 ¾ lengths victory in the Peter Pan Stakes, run on this same race track on May 9th. This Kiaran McLaughlin trained colt is 3 out of 4 lifetime and could certainly find his way to victory here - like his sire Lemon Drop Kid. (won 1999 Belmont) And let’s not forget that McLaughlin won this race with Jazil in 2006. Projected Odds: 9-2

Chocolate Candy enters the Belmont Stakes off his 5th place finish in the Derby. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer skipped the Preakness with this Candy Ride sired colt, and pointed directly to this race. Expect Chocolate Candy to get some action at the betting windows, but I just don’t know if he is good enough to win this race. He could definitely land in the trifecta though. Projected Odds: 8-1

Dunkirk, like Chocolate Candy, skipped the Preakness Stakes and prepared for the Belmont Stakes. Dunkirk’s 11th place finish in the Kentucky Derby was a little disappointing, but truthfully he probably needed that race. Expect trainer Todd Pletcher to have Dunkirk ready to run a big one here. Much like Pletcher had the filly Rags to Riches ready to run in the 2007 Belmont Stakes - a race that Pletcher’s filly won. Projected Odds: 7-1

D Wayne Lukas will bring Flying Private into the Belmont Stakes off his 4th place finish in the Preakness, which was preceded by a last place (19th) finish in the Run for the Roses. Truth is that Flying Private prepped extremely well for the Preakness and then turn in a career best effort. Jockey Alan Garcia guided longshot, Da’Tara to victory in this race last year, but Garcia has a tough task getting Flying Private to the wire first here. Projected Odds: 16-1

Lukas also will saddle up Luv Gov. Luv Gov ran a lack luster 8th place in the Preakness Stakes. This spot is way too tough for Luv Gov, and frankly Lukas should probably find Luv Gov an “a-other than” allowance to run in instead. Projected Odds: 25-1

Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird impressed us in Louisville, and shows us the Derby was no fluke two weeks later in Baltimore. Mine That Bird will try to win the Belmont Stakes like his sire Birdstone did in 2004. If Rachel Alexandra chooses not to enter in the Belmont (which we expect she won’t run), Mine That Bird should be your betting choice. Are you a believer yet? Projected Odds: 5-2

Miner’s Escape comes into the Belmont Stakes off a win in the Federico Tesio Stakes run at Pimlico on May 2nd. Though Miner’s Escape might look a touch overmatched here, don’t forget about Zito’s success in the Belmont Stakes. And like last year’s winner, Zito trained Da’Tara, Miner’s Escape will try to win it from the front end. Can he go wire to wire? Projected Odds: 15-1

Eoin Harty trained Mr Hot Stuff comes into the Belmont Stakes off his 15th place finish in the Derby. Harty decided to skip the Preakness and prepare Mr Hot Stuff for the 1 ½-Mile Belmont Stakes. Look for Mr Hot Stuff to make his run on the far turn and don’t be surprised if Mr Hot Stuff gets a piece of the money. Projected Odds: 19-1

Super filly Rachel Alexandra beat the boys in the Preakness, in her first race under trainer Steve Asmussen. Though it would be nice to see her try to solidify her legacy with a win in the Belmont Stakes, I don’t expect her to enter. But let’s say she does run in the Belmont. She’ll be tough and most likely be the favorite. Projected Odds: 2-1

Summer Bird ran a respectable 6th place in the Kentucky Derby. This effort was good enough for trainer Tim Ice to prepare him for the Belmont Stakes. With just one victory in four lifetime starts, this spot might be too much to ask for from this inexperienced/unseasoned colt. Then again, his sire Birdstone did win this race in 2004 at 50-1. And Summer Bird runs on late like his daddy. Projected Odds: 20-1

Remember every horse has a shot in the Belmont Stakes - even the longest of longshots. The grueling 1 ½-Mile distance tends to trump a horse’s previous successes . keep that in mind.

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com. Be sure to check back for updated 2009 Belmont Stake betting information as the week’s progress.