2011 Belmont Stakes: The Odds for Every Horse in the Field
The field has been set for the 2011 Belmont Stakes, and the 12 horses set to race are a mix between familiar frontrunners, new faces, and horses from the Kentucky Derby that had a nice month off and are ready to go again.
Now that the positions in the field have been decided, odds have been set and people are getting their bets ready for Saturday's matchup. The odds so far are pretty much what one would expect.
While Animal Kingdom is naturally the frontrunner, which horse is surprisingly in second place? Which horse is yet again a longshot despite racing in the Preakness?
The following are the odds from three sports' sites: The Belmont Stakes page itself, Fox Sports, and Locksmith Sports Picks.
1. Master of Hounds
1 of 12
B: 8-1
F: 10-1
L: 12-1
The fifth place finisher in the Kentucky Derby is ready to go in the Belmont, and oddsmakers are at least giving him a decent shot, keeping his odds in the 10-1 range.
Master of Hounds has the stamina to go all the way, there's no question about that, but then again so do the other horses in this race. He's not a horse with breakaway speed, so it remains to be seen if having the inside track gives him any advantage.
2. Stay Thirsty
2 of 12
B: 20-1
F: 20-1
L: 18-1
Stay Thirsty had a rather disappointing Kentucky Derby performance, only finishing 12th. Combine that with a seventh place Florida Derby finish, and it's actually impressive that the horse is not more of a longshot.
His trainer, Todd Pletcher, won the 2007 Belmont with Rags to Riches, so he does have the experience, and that will definitely help out Stay Thirsty in hopes that he can at least be in the front half of the pack.
3. Ruler on Ice
3 of 12
B: 20-1
F: 20-1
L: 40-1
The first horse to have greatly varying odds, that may be due to Locksmith having multiple horses at 40-1 longshot odds; Ruler of Ice is only the first.
Ruler of Ice arguably has the least experience, but does have recent finishes of second and third, although he has yet to win a stakes race. This horse could just as easily be a surprise as a disappointment, depending how well he trains the next couple days.
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4. Santiva
4 of 12
B: 12-1
F: 15-1
L: 15-1
Santiva had finally gotten back to a realistic schedule, it seems, after having so much time off before the Kentucky Derby. After a sixth place finish, the horse should be ready to go.
Despite decent odds, he has no 2011 wins to his credit, and a 9th place finish in his last race before the Derby was at best unimpressive. The odds may be too low to take a flier on.
5. Brilliant Speed
5 of 12
B: 15-1
F: 15-1
L: 15-1
Brilliant Speed, seventh place Kentucky Derby finisher who does not have too much experience, but has the oddsmakers in agreement, putting him at +1500. He actually ran very well as the Derby despite the finish, but was instead unable to get into position.
Since the crowded field was the main problem for Brilliant Speed, he could very well be a dark horse candidate to win, though not racing since the Derby might hurt him. He's worth a look at those odds if nothing else.
6. Nehro
6 of 12
B: 7-2
F: 4-1
L: 4-1
Nehro's absence from the Preakness should mean that he's more than prepared to run a great race at the Belmont. Any fatigue is done now, and he finished second in the Kentucky Derby, so he can definitely run.
Nehro's odds are among the lowest in the Belmont Stakes, varying between 7-2 and 4-1. Anyone who believe Animal Kingdom and Shackleford may be fatigued at this point should definitely be looking at this horse.
7. Monzon
7 of 12
B: 30-1
F: 30-1
L: 40-1
Monzon is one of the main longshots of this group. He has experience on the Belmont track, racing in the Peter Pan last month but only finishing in sixth.
The odds and lack of major experience suggest to me that there isn't much reason to consider him in placing any bets.
8. Prime Cut
8 of 12
B: 20-1
F: 15-1
L: 20-1
Another horse in the 15-20 odds range, Prime Cut has solid Belmont experience, finishing third in the Peter Pan, and he definitely has the speed to make some noise.
Having said that, there are concerns about his stamina, since the Belmont can be a long track. Will Prime Cut be able to hold on that long? We will have to wait and see on that.
9. Animal Kingdom
9 of 12
B: 5-2
F: 2-1
L: 2-1
We all know at this point what Animal Kingdom is capable of, and there's a reason he's the frontrunner. Animal Kingdom has finished in the top two in all his races, and he'll be looking to win after narrowly losing the Preakness.
There's the chance of fatigue being in issue since this is his third straight race, but it's hard not to bet on him, since he has the best breakaway speed of any horses in the Belmont.
10. Mucho Macho Man
10 of 12
B: 8-1
F: 10-1
L: 6-1
Mucho Macho Man is a tough one to figure out. He had an excellent run in the Kentucky Derby, but his performance in the Preakness was definitely a disappointment. There are questions as well about whether he can handle a race as long as the Belmont.
He is still a horse that could make an intriguing selection if the odds stay around 10-1, but he may not be worth it any lower than that.
11. Isn't He Perfect
11 of 12
B: 50-1
F: 30-1
L: 40-1
The other big longshot of the group looked to be decent heading into last month, but a ninth place finish at the Preakness is not going to turn any heads.
I didn't see anything that would make me consider placing any bet despite what the odds may be, so I see it staying around 40 or 50 throughout the next couple days.
12. Shackleford
12 of 12
B: 9-2
F: 9-2
L: 9-2
Holding the outside track is Preakness winner Shackleford. As expected, he has low odds, as he has shown great speed and the ability to get in the lead quickly.
I still have my concerns about his stamina, since he trailed off a bit at the end of the Kentucky Derby, an dI could see that happening again. That being said, the momentum he's built up could carry him to a Belmont win.
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