Belmont Stakes
Betting On The Belmont Stakes - Can Big Brown Go The Distance?
By [[ Ссылка ] Cividino
It isn't every day that a horse like Big Brown comes around to attract the attention of the mass media; it's been about 30 years, in fact. So why are horse racing fans clamoring to bet on him to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes? It's simple, really: Big Brown has won the first two jewels, he's fast, he's strong, he's got superb stamina and divine determination. But above all else he's got the heart of a champion - a Triple Crown champion.
When Big Brown burst out of the gates at the 2008 Kentucky Derby and blew away the field at Churchill Downs to win by 4 3/4 lengths over second-place finisher Eight Belles -- we all watched in awe. When he made a repeat performance at the 2008 Preakness Stakes, this time finishing 5 1/4 lengths ahead of long shot Macho Again -- we all stood and we all cheered because we all knew this was a special moment.
Big Brown is a big deal - he's the real deal.
So what if he has a crack in his hoof? (It's been repaired and according to trainer Rick Dutrow he's as good as new.) What will we do if Big Brown wins the 2008 Belmont Stakes? What will we do if he doesn't?
The odds-on favorite to win the Belmont Stakes, Big Brown must instinctively know that this next race is going to be his biggest.
Odds-on favorites to win the Belmont Stakes have gone 12-for-30 and the last five horses were defeated. The last odds-on favorite to win the Belmont Stakes was the last horse to win the Triple Crown - Affirmed in 1978. If Big Brown can win this one he'll become only the 12th Triple Crown winner in the history of American thoroughbred racing.
Here is the list of Triple Crown hopefuls that won the first two jewels, but then went on to lose the final jewel - the Belmont Stakes:
Smarty Jones, finished 2nd at the 2004 Belmont Stakes.
Funny Cide finished 3rd at the 2003 Belmont Stakes.
War Emblem finished 8th at the 2002 Belmont Stakes.
Charismatic finished 3rd at the 1999 Belmont Stakes.
Real Quiet finished 2nd at the 1998 Belmont Stakes.
Silver Charm finished 2nd at the 1997 Belmont Stakes.
Sunday Silence finished 2nd at the 1989 Belmont Stakes.
Alysheba finished 4th at the 1987 Belmont Stakes.
Pleasant Colony finished 3rd at the 1981 Belmont Stakes.
Spectacular Bid finished 3rd at the 1979 Belmont Stakes.
Minor hoof injuries aside, Big Brown's big day should still be challenging
Critics and oddsmakers are saying that the field of horses competing for the Belmont Stakes isn't nearly as challenging as they have been in the past; that because of his sheer size and strength, a winning bet on Big Brown seems easy enough even for the novice horse handicapper.
But don't be too quick to rule out one of Big Brown's main competitors: Casino Drive.
Casino Drive comes from the same mare (Better Than Honour) as the last two Belmont Stakes winners -- Jazil and Rags to Riches -- and he won the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths, covering the 1 1/8 miles track at Belmont Park in 1:47.87 and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 101. With that kind of history, you would think that Casino Drive could make short work of the 1 1/2 miles oval dirt track set out in front of him at the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
Even with Big Brown kicking dirt in his face?
Jockey Kent Desmoreaux, the American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who holds the U.S. record for most races won in a single year, will once again be riding Big Brown on race day, June 7th. Having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes atop Big Brown, Desmoreaux knows what this special horse is capable of doing. Ironically, Desmoreaux was also the winning jockey who rode Casino Drive to victory at the Peter Pan Stakes. Nonetheless, Desmoreaux stands firm on his decision when asked which is the better horse - Casino Drive or Big Brown.
"This is the best horse I've ever ridden," Desmoreaux told reporters at a press conference following the 2008 Preakness Stakes. "I said it."
Watch and bet on Big Brown go the distance to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown on Saturday, June 7th. Post time is 6:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
For more information on the [[ Ссылка ] Stakes or the [[ Ссылка ] Crown, please visit the Bodog Racebook.
Article Source: [[ Ссылка ]] Betting On The Belmont Stakes - Can Big Brown Go The Distance?
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Belmont Stakes
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