Who Do You Like? Betting The 2014 Belmont Stakes

Forbes ^ | 6/05/2014 | Teresa Genaro

[nickcarraway]

There will be a lot of people on Saturday at Belmont Park rooting for California Chrome to become the 12th winner of the Triple Crown, and a lot of people who think he has a shot to do it.

But there will also be people trying to beat him: his morning line odds of 3/5 aren’t going to offer much in the way of an ROI, and 21 horses have entered the starting gate of the Belmont Stakes with Derby/Preakness wins in hand, only to fall short.

A field of 11 will try the test of the champion on Saturday evening; only three contenders–California Chrome, General a Rod, and Ride On Curlin–raced in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Will the rigors of the Triple Crown trail take their toll on the favorite? Will the Belmont’s mile and a half defeat him, as it has so many others? Will his jockey, Victor Espinoza, be taunted by Belmont’s singular configuration and seduced into moving too early? Will post position two force Espinoza and California Chrome to gun too quickly to the front?

The fan education site Hello Race Fans! (to which I contribute) offers a cheat sheet on all the contenders along with suggestions on how and when to bet on a heavy favorite. wagering strategies, and below you’ll find our stable of handicappers, offering their perspectives, suggestions, and picks for the race.

[ansel12]

I don’t know, which one is Palin backing?

[D-fendr]

LOL!

Good one, Ansel.

[packrat35]

Beetle Baum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXRj9lSnJnI

[nickcarraway]

Probably Medal Count or General a Rod.

[Ken H]

Bo Diddley. Oh wait, that was ‘Who do you love’.

[advertising guy]

thumbs high

[Moonman62]

The experts last March were saying that the Kentucky Derby was too long for California Chrome. They were wrong, but the the Belmont is a quarter mile longer. Before Chrome I don’t think any of his sire’s offspring won anything more than a mile.

[dalereed]

I had an employee that “had a system” and when Santa Anita and Hollywood Park were running he always came in by Wednesday for an advance!

[nickcarraway]

Hey, it’s hard to come up with a system so consistent!

[Libloather]

Purse $1,500,000. For Three Year Olds. By subscription of $600 each, to accompany the nomination, if made on or before January 25, 2014, or $6,000, if made on or before March 22, 2014. At any time prior to the closing time of entries, horses may be nominated to The Belmont Stakes upon payment of a supplementary fee of $75,000 to the New York Racing Association, Inc. $15,000 to pass the entry box and $15,000 additional to start. All entrants will be required to pay entry and starting fees; but no fees, supplemental or otherwise shall be added to the purse. The purse to be divided $800,000 to the winner, $280,000 to second, $150,000 to third, $100,000 to fourth, $60,000 to fifth, $45,000 to sixth, $35,000 to seventh and $30,000 to eighth. Colts and Geldings, 126 Lbs.; Fillies, 121 Lbs. The winning owner will be presented with the August Belmont Memorial Cup to be retained for one year as well as a trophy for permanent possession and trophies to the winning trainer and jockey. One And One Half Miles.

P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L

1 1 Medal Count (KY) 3/C L R Albarado 126 D L Romans 20/1
2 2 California Chrome (CA) 3/C L V Espinoza 126 A Sherman 3/5
3 3 Matterhorn (KY) 3/C L J Bravo 126 T A Pletcher 30/1
4 4 Commanding Curve (KY) 3/R L S Bridgmohan 126 D Stewart 15/1
5 5 Ride On Curlin (KY) 3/C L J R Velazquez 126 W G Gowan 12/1
6 6 Matuszak (KY) 3/C L M E Smith 126 W I Mott 30/1
7 7 Samraat (NY) 3/C L J L Ortiz 126 R A Violette, Jr. 20/1
8 8 Commissioner (KY) 3/C L J Castellano 126 T A Pletcher 20/1
9 9 Wicked Strong (KY) 3/C L R Maragh 126 J A Jerkens 6/1
10 10 General a Rod (KY) 3/C L R Napravnik 126 M J Maker 20/1
11 11 Tonalist (KY) 3/C L J Rosario 126 C Clement 8/1

Owners: 1 - Spendthrift Farm LLC; 2 - Coburn, Steven and Martin, Perry; 3 - Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Town and Country Farms, Corp.; 4 - West Point Thoroughbreds; 5 - Dougherty, Daniel, J.; 6 - Prussin, George, J.; 7 - My Meadowview Farm; 8 - WinStar Farm LLC; 9 - Centennial Farms; 10 - Skychai Racing LLC and Starlight Racing; 11 - Evans, Robert, S.

Breeders: 1 - Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC; 2 - Perry Martin & Steve Coburn; 3 - Town & Country Farm Corp; 4 - T. F. VanMeter; 5 - G. Watts Humphrey Jr. & Louise IrelandHumphrey Revocable Trust - 2008; 6 - Sha-Li Leasing Associates, Inc.; 7 - My Meadowview LLC; 8 - WinStar Farm, LLC; 9 - William F. Lynn; 10 - Hare Forest Farm; 11 - Woodslane Farm

[Jack Hammer]

Not to be persnicketty, but should that be “whom” do you like...?

[blueplum]

I”m backing California Chrome of DAP racing, payout or no.

[Andy'smom]

That’s a large field for the Belmont.

Other than California Chrome, I rather like how Commanding Curve finished in the Derby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e73ouJrBAs

[deoetdoctrinae]

I saw Matuszak run last year in a race at Keeneland. The only time he was seen was when they broke from the gate! Never appeared on the track video screen as the race progressed. I think he finished about 40 lengths back. So, for those liking a longshot...lol.

[dfwgator]

Feetlebaum.

[FlJoePa]

It's going to be Ride On Curlin's day.

[nutmeg]

Anyone know specifically what time California Chrome will run? Thanks...

[nickcarraway]

I think it’s about 3:50 PM Pacific Time. About half an hour from now.

[nutmeg]

Toward the end of the NBC broadcast... Thanks!