(The Spread) – Looking for weather and odds on the 2011 Belmont Stakes? Check out our preview of tonight’s race.
View Our 2011 Belmont TV Viewing Guide
What: The 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes
When: Saturday, June 11, 2011
Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York
Post Time: Approximately 6:36PM ET
The Favorite: Oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog have made Animal Kingdom a 2/1 favorite to win tonight’s Belmont Stakes. Animal Kingdom won this year’s Kentucky Derby but was edged out in the Preakness and lost his bid to win a Triple Crown.
The Challengers: Nehro, who finished second at the Kentucky Derby behind Animal Kingdom, has the next best odds at 4/1 and Shackleford, who edged out Animal Kingdom to win the 2011 Preakness, is 9/2. Master of Hounds and Mucho Macho Man are 10/1, respectively, while Brilliant Speed, Santiva and Prime Cut are 15/1, respectively.
Weather: Weather could be a major factor for tonight’s Belmont Stakes, as there’s a 50-percent chance of rain early in the morning and throughout the afternoon. How will a sloppy track affect the contenders? Half of the field has never raced on a wet surface while only two have won on a slick track: Ruler On Ice and Monzon, two of the long shots. The rain could make things interesting this evening.
Sleeper Contender: Watch out for Prime Cut, who has odds of 15/1 to win tonight. He finished third in the Grade 2 Peter Pan and second at the Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes on April 23. In fact, in his seven career races, Prime Cut has never finished lower than fourth – and that came in his debut back in June of 2010.
2011 Belmont Stakes Odds – Saturday, June 11, 2011 – Belmont Park
Animal Kingdom 2/1
Nehro 4/1
Shackleford 9/2
Master of Hounds 10/1
Mucho Macho Man 10/1
Brilliant Speed 15/1
Santiva 15/1
Prime Cut 15/1
Stay Thirsty 20/1
Ruler On Ice 20/1
Isn’t He Perfect 30/1
Monzon 30/1
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