Kentucky Derby winner Orb is the early betting favorite for the Belmont Stakes (photo credit: churchilldowns.com)
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb was confirmed for the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1) after a strong workout on Sunday at Belmont Park, and in early betting odds is the 7-2 favorite.
The Shug McGaughey trainee will face off against Preakness (G1) winner Oxbow and as many as 13 other runners, as a large field is expected to run in the third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.
Orb was sent out Sunday morning and drilled four furlongs in :48.30 with regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson aboard and working in company with Grade 1 winner Hymn Book.
“He hasn’t missed a beat,” said McGaughey after the morning drill “Everything has been A-1 forward. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you. I think the Belmont is a race that stands on its own and we would love to be able to compete in it and love to be able to have a good chance to win, and go from there.”
It will be the 21st time that the Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness winners have squared off in the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness winner has won nine of those races, the Derby winner has won five.
On the early betting line released by Michael Dempsey of turfnsport.com, Preakness winner Oxbow is the second choice at 4-1, followed by Revolutionary, the Derby third place finisher who is listed at betting odds of 5-1.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, who went 0 for 5 in the Derby and bypassed the Preakness will send out five runners including Revolutionary. His other runners are Midnight Taboo, Overanalyze, Palace Malice, and Unlimited Budget.
Unlimited Budget is a filly and is coming off a third place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Pletcher’s lone Belmont Stakes win came with the filly Rags to Riches in 2007.
Probable field for the 2013 Belmont Stakes
|
Horse |
Odds* |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Last Start |
| Frac Daddy |
30-1 |
Ken McPeek | Alan Garcia | Kentucky Derby, 16th |
| Freedom Child |
10-1 |
Tom Albertrani | Luis Saez | Peter Pan, 1st |
| Giant Finish |
30-1 |
Tony Dutrow | Edgar Prado | Kentucky Derby, 10th |
| Golden Soul |
10-1 |
Dallas Stewart | Robby Albarado | Kentucky Derby, 2nd |
| Incognito |
30-1 |
Kiaran McLaughlin | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Peter Pan, 5th |
| Midnight Taboo |
30-1 |
Todd Pletcher | Garrett Gomez | Belmont alw, 2nd |
| Orb |
7-2 |
Shug McGaughey | Joel Rosario | Preakness, 4th |
| Overanalyze |
15-1 |
Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | Kentucky Derby, 11th |
| Oxbow |
4-1 |
D. Wayne Lukas | Gary Stevens | Preakness, 1st |
| Palace Malice |
15-1 |
Todd Pletcher | Mike Smith | Kentucky Derby, 12th |
| Revolutionary |
5-1 |
Todd Pletcher | Javier Castellano | Kentucky Derby, 3rd |
| Unlimited Budget |
12-1 |
Todd Pletcher | Rosie Napravnik | Kentucky Oaks, 3rd |
| Vyjack |
20-1 |
Rudy Rodriguez | Julien Leparoux | Kentucky Derby, 18th |
| Will Take Charge |
20-1 |
D. Wayne Lukas | Jon Court | Preakness, 7th |
*Early odds provided by Michael Dempsey of turfnsport.com
Michael Dempsey’s Belmont Stakes Day Report
Michael’s Report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for the entire Belmont Stakes Day card. The third jewel of the Triple Crown features an outstanding day of horse betting. The supporting stakes include the $500,000 Manhattan Handicap (G1), $500,000 Longines Just a Game (G1), $400,000 True North Handicap (G2) and the $400,000 Woody Stephens (G2). Michael’s Report will be available on Thursday June 6.
