Last Updated on June 1, 2009 10:50 pm by Anthony Rome
It’s official: 2009 Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra won’t run at the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes.
After a grueling start to the 2009 season in which she won every race she’s run in, Rachel Alexandra won’t compete at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 6. Her owners decided that it was too much to ask the 3-year old filly to compete in the Belmont Stakes after winning a tough Preakness.
With Rachel Alexandra out, oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.COM have made Mine That Bird a 5/6 favorite to win this year’s Belmont. Mine That Bird won the 2009 Kentucky Derby after being made a 50/1 long shot and finished second to Rachel Alexandra at the Preakness.
One of the more intriguing storylines surrounding this year’s Belmont is jockey Calvin Borel, who won the Kentucky Derby riding Mine That Bird and won the Preakness riding Rachel Alexandra. Now that Rachel Alexandra won’t compete, Borel will once again ride Mine That Bird and try to win his own version of the Triple Crown.
Opening odds for the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes are below. The race is this Saturday, June 6 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Odds to win 2009 Belmont Stakes – Saturday, June 6 – Belmont Park – Elmont, New York
Mine That Bird 5/6
Dunkirk 7/2
Charitable Man 3/1
Chocolate Candy 13/1
Flying Private 18/1
Mr Hot Stuff 20/1
Brave Victory 28/1
Miners Escape 30/1
Summer Bird 20/1
Luv Gov 50/1
Nowhere to Hide 50/1
Posted: 6/1/09 10:51PM ET