American Pharoah is the 10-11 betting favorite for the Belmont Stakes. (Photo credit: Maryland Jockey Club)
American Pharoah continues to be heavily bet in early wagering for the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 6 at Belmont Park, currently at odds of 10-11 at Bovada for the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
The Bob Baffert trainee is seeking to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Thirteen since have arrived in New York looking to sweep the Triple Crown, but all came up short including California Chrome last year.
American Pharoah impressed clockers on Tuesday morning with a four furlong drill at Churchill Downs in :48, galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13 1/5 after early 1/8-mile splits of 12 1/5, 24 and :35 4/5.
The field was reduced by one on Tuesday as the connections of War Story said they will look for an easier spot for the gelding. The Tom Amoss trainee was 16th in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 45-1. The gelding was at betting odds of 33-1 at Bovada before being declared out of the race.
The gelding may land at Thistledown on June 20 for the $500,000 Ohio Derby.
With less than a week before entries are taken for the Belmont Stakes, there are still 11 possible for the race.
Trainer Todd Pletcher is still pointing a trio of runners to the third jewel of the Triple Crown—Materiality, Carpe Diem and Madefromlucky.
Materiality is currently the third choice in early wagering at Bovada at 15-2. The Florida Derby winner was a troubled sixth in the Run for the Roses.
Carpe Diem was sent off as the third betting choice in the Kentucky Derby after victories in the Tampa Bay Derby and Toyota Blue Grass but was a disappointing 10th. He is currently the fourth choice at 12-1.
Madefromlucky makes his first start in a Triple Crown race after winning the Peter Pan Stakes over the Belmont Park main track on May 9. Last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist used the Peter Pan as a prep last year. His current Belmont Stakes betting odds are 22-1.
Lemon Drop Kid (1999), Colonial Affair (1993) and A.P. Indy (1992) all used the Peter Pan as a steppingstone to winning the Belmont Stakes.
Three of the last six Belmont Stakes winners raced in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness, Palace Malice (2013), Union Rags (2012) and Summer Bird (2009).
The last Belmont Stakes winner that exited the Preakness was Afleet Alex in 2005.
Belmont Stakes Wagering Odds via Bovada as of May 27:
American Pharoah 10-11
Frosted 5-1
Materiality 15-2
Carpe Diem 12-1
Mubtaahij 14-1
Madefromlucky 22-1
Divining Rod 25-1
Tale of Verve 28-1
Keen Ice 28-1
Conquest Curlinate 33-1
Frammento 50-1
Michael Dempsey’s Belmont Stakes Day Report $20.00
Michael’s Report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for the entire Belmont Stakes Day card. Report will be available by June 5.
The third jewel of the Triple Crown features an outstanding day of horse betting that also includes the Grade 1, $1 million Manhattan, the Grade 1, $750,000 Longines Just a Game, the Grade 2, $500,000 Woody Stephens, the Grade 1, $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap, the Grade 1, $1 million Ogden Phipps, the Grade 1, $750,000 Acorn, the Grade 2, $500,000 Brooklyn Invitational, the Grade 3, $300,000 Jaipur Invitational, and the $150,000 Easy Goer.
