Belmont Stakes 2015: Updated Weather Forecast, Post Time, Odds and Payout Info
The weather will be ideal for spectators and most participants at the 2015 Belmont Stakes, per Weather.com. The forecast calls for just a 10 percent chance of rain and a high of 77 degrees as American Pharoah attempts to become the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown.
Had rain been in the forecast, it probably wouldn't have bothered American Pharoah and his team. The horse has already proved capable of performing on a muddy track at the Preakness Stakes and Arkansas Derby. Because of that, trainer Todd A. Pletcher, who has two horses in the field (Materiality and Madefromlucky), has to be glad the track will likely stay dry.
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Per Tom Pedulla of the New York Times, Pletcher said, "It [American Pharoah's history on mud] makes Pharoah a cinch if it rains.”
Per the latest odds at Odds Shark, American Pharoah is still the heavy favorite despite the standard track and a fifth post position that lands the horse in the middle of the pack to begin the race. The post time is 6:50 p.m. ET, and here are the most recent odds:
- Mubtaahij - 14-1
- Tale of Verve - 20-1
- Madefromlucky - 14-1
- Frammento - 40-1
- American Pharoah - 5-7
- Frosted - 6-1
- Keen Ice - 25-1
- Materiality - 13-2
American Pharoah had his doubters heading into the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but many, such as the New York Times' Melissa Hoppert, are coming around. Hoppert recently wrote, "He [American Pharoah] has won six straight and looks no worse for the wear. I picked against him in the Derby and the Preakness, and I won’t make that mistake again."
If American Pharoah wins, he'll take home the winner's share of the $1.5 million purse. However, with such a small field, every horse will receive a piece of the purse no matter where they finish. Here's a breakdown of the payout information:
| 1st | $800,000 |
| 2nd | $280,000 |
| 3rd | $150,000 |
| 4th | $100,000 |
| 5th | $60,000 |
| 6th | $45,000 |
| 7th | $35,000 |
| 8th | $30,000 |
Everything seems to be properly aligned for American Pharoah to make history. There's a small field, and he has already beaten the top two threats (Frosted and Materiality) at the Kentucky Derby.
American Pharoah also has the benefit of a jockey who has been to this point two other times in his career. Victor Espinoza guided War Emblem in 2002 and California Chrome in 2014 to two-thirds of the Triple Crown before falling short at the Belmont Stakes. The experience he's gained has to count for something.
The drought between Triple Crown winners has been too long, and the sport needs a special horse. American Pharoah has a great chance to be immortalized on Saturday.
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