Last Minute Belmont Stakes Picks

by Bodog Beat News Ticker  |  June 7th, 2008
Belmont Stakes
It's the final leg of the Triple Crown. Do you have your Belmont Picks? (AP Images)

Good morning, racing fans! All the excitement, hoof injuries and betting action has come down to today. The final jewel in the Triple Crown that may make Big Brown the biggest name in racing. If you don't have your Belmont picks yet, don't worry. Let Bodog Racebook's resident expert take the reigns (pun intended) and help you with that racing form of yours.

Dave Tuley was the Daily Racing Form's full-time Las Vegas correspondent from 2000 through May 2007 and now writes a weekly column for DRF and owns a new website called ViewFromVegas.com. Here are his Belmont Picks.

The Belmont stakes Top Contenders: Again, most people think it's Big Brown and the rest. However, Casino Drive is also undefeated and comes in off an impressive victory in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes over this same racecourse. Tale of Ekati, winner of the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, is the only other Grade 1 winner in the field.

How the Race Will be Run: With the mile and a half distance (which none of these horses have ever run and probably will never run again), the pace will likely be pedestrian. From the No. 1 post, Big Brown might inherit the lead by default or sit right behind Casino Drive, Da' Tara or maybe Tale of Ekati. Those should all be around at the turn for home and the leader will have to hold off closers such as Macho Again, Denis of Cork and Icabad Crane.

Dave's Belmont Stakes Picks to Win:

  • Macho Again finished second to Big Brown in the Preakness, even though he never really threatened the winner. He gains the services of top jockey Garrett Gomez, who is still without a Classic victory. At 20-1 on the morning line, Macho Again should definitely outrun his odds and I give him a better-than-average chance of pulling the upset if he becomes the first to challenge Big Brown eye to eye down the stretch.
  • Casino Drive has been hailed as the one most likely to spoil BIG Brown's Triple Crown bid. After winning his maiden race in Japan, he came over here and won over the Belmont track, which is a good sign. Downgraded him a little as his connections have avoided working him on the wet surface earlier this week, so he might need a fast track.
  • Big Brown is the class of the field, but he's still trying to overcome many obstacles, including hoof problems, and trying to win three races over five weeks against horses fresher than he. If he pulls off the feat, he deserves every accolade. But I'm betting against it.

Dave's Longshot Pick: Icabad Crane was my longshot play in the Preakness and he finished third. Oftentimes, I get on improving horses a race or two early, so I definitely have to use him again. He has the right to improve off that first graded stakes effort. Icabad Crane is also only one of three entrants with a win over a wet track if the skies open – Denis of Cork and Da' Tara being the others.

It's not too late to place your Belmont Stakes betting! Head over to the Bodog Racebook for all your Belmont and Triple Crown odds.

 

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