Belmont Stakes Odds, Picks: Can American Pharoah Pay in Triple Crown Betting?

History is in the making Saturday at Belmont Park as American Pharaoh will be the short-priced favorite in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1); a victory will make him the first Triple Crown winner in nearly four decades.

The money continues to pour in on the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner, who is currently at betting odds of 10-13.

And why not? The colt has won six races in a row and is coming into the race off a dominating performance in the Preakness Stakes, where he drew away to win by seven lengths over the sloppy going at Pimlico three weeks ago.

On Saturday, the colt faces seven foes, five that he defeated in the Kentucky Derby who sat out the Preakness. Among those are the second and third betting choices Frosted and Materiality.

Frosted is the second choice in Belmont Stakes betting at 11-2. The colt made a good late run to finish fourth in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 3 ¼ lengths behind the winner. While American Pharoah shipped to Baltimore for the Preakness, Frosted has been preparing to turn the tables on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Materiality went into the Run for the Roses off a win in the Florida Derby (G1), which was just his third career start. He was up against it in the Kentucky Derby, attempting to win the Derby despite not having raced as a two-year-old. The last Derby winner who went unraced as a juvenile was Apollo in 1882.

The colt broke a beat slow and had a rough trip in a sixth-place finish, beaten 7 ¾ lengths. The colt will be fresh and figures to mix it up in the early stages of the Belmont Stakes with the betting favorite. His current odds are 13-2.

His trainer, Todd Pletcher, has won the Belmont Stakes twice. He saddled the filly Rags to Riches to victory in 2007 and Palace Malice in 2013. In addition, he has run second four times including last year with 28-1 long shot Commissioner, who was beaten in a photo by Tonalist.

Will we witness history Saturday, or will the Triple Crown drought continue for at least another year? Let’s find a long shot and the winner of the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

The Long Shot: Keen ice

Keen Ice was seventh in the Kentucky Derby and did have some traffic troubles, making up some ground late when finally clear. The Dale Romans trainee is bred to handle the demanding 1 ½ mile distance. His sire Curlin ran second in the 2007 Belmont Stakes and was a two-time Horse of the Year. With American Pharoah at such a short price, his current odds of 25-1 look appealing.

The Winner: American Pharoah

It is tough to win three weeks in five weeks, and the Belmont Stakes has been the downfall of many good horses, including California Chrome last year, Big Brown in 2008 and Smarty Jones in 2004, all which were sent off at less than even money.

However, American Pharoah comes into this year’s Belmont Stakes on a roll, and of his last four races, three were relatively easy wins. His only tough race was in the Kentucky Derby. It looks as if the Triple Crown drought will be over after this race.