The Triple Crown bid for Justify got a bit easier today with the announcement that Audible would skip the Belmont Stakes. (Photo credit: Santa Anita Park).
Kentucky Derby (G1) third place finisher Audible has been declared out of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) and instead will be pointed toward the Jim Dandy (G2) at Belmont Park or the Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park.
The Florida Derby (G1) winner was the early second choice in Belmont Stakes wagering at USRacing, but with common ownership with Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner Justify, the colt will now skip the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
The decision was first reported by Alicia Wincze Hughes in Bloodhorse.
WinStar Farm president Elliott Walden told Hughes, “Obviously you have a Triple Crown on the line, so there are all kinds of factors to it. It’s different when you’ve won two of out of three then when you’ve won one out of three.”
Audible won both the Holy Bull (G2) and Florida Derby and was sent off as the fourth choice in the Run for the Roses at 7-1. The colt had to steady in traffic and finished up well when clear for third.
Preakness runner up Bravazo has taken over as second choice behind Justify in early Belmont Stakes wagering at US Racing at +430. Justify is the solid favorite at -115.
Preakness third place finisher Tenfold is the current third choice in the wagering at +580.
Early Belmont Stakes Betting Odds via USRacing:
| Blended Citizen | +1200 | 12/1 |
| Bravazo | +430 | 43/10 |
| Gronkowski | +3300 | 33/1 |
| Hofburg | +700 | 7/1 |
| Just Whistle | +6000 | 60/1 |
| Justify | -115 | 20/23 |
| Lone Sailor | +3000 | 30/1 |
| Tenfold | +580 | 29/5 |
| Vino Rosso | +1100 | 11/1 |
| Free Drop Billy | +3000 | 30/1 |
| Restoring Hope | +4500 | 45/1 |
| Bandua | +5000 | 50/1 |
| Noble Indy | +3000 | 30/1 |
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