Horse Racing News
Posted June 13, 2011 – 4:54 am in: Horse Racing NewsIn just over 24 hours, the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting lines will close, as the 12 horse field enters the gat and one horse rides victorious. This year’s Belmont betting race has had plenty of animosity, as Preakness Stake’s winner Shackleford, despite leading the entire way for both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, has received little to no respect from the bookies and experts alike. Here is the latest news heading into the Belmont Stakes tomorrow.
Ever since the Florida Derby on April 3rd, 2011, Shackleford has received the short end of the stick from oddsmakers. In the Florida Derby, Shackleford at astonishing odds of 68 to one came within a length of defeating Kentucky Derby favorite Dialed In, for the Florida Derby crown. Then, at the Kentucky Derby, despite narrowly losing to Dialed In, Shackleford went off as a 25 to one underdog before the race. Recall that during the race despite the long odds, Shackleford ran really well, as it led for the majority of the race, before running out of gas entering the final turn at Churchill Downs. Making matters more confusing for horse race handicappers, at the Preakness Stakes, despite leading for the majority of the Kentucky Derby, Shackleford was listed as a 12 to one underdog to win the race. Finally, Shackleford entered this weekend’s Belmont Stakes as a five to one favorite to win the race.
However, making matters more intriguing was Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom’s owner, Barry Irwin, who earlier this week proclaimed that not only was Shackleford overrated, but he was no match for Animal Kingdom. Now, we’d just like to say, that if Shackleford was no match for Animal Kingdom, how come Shackleford won the Preakness Stakes and Animal Kingdom did not? With such a lack of respect from peers and bookmakers alike, Shackleford is the horse we hope wins the Belmont Stakes, despite being a pace setting horse.
Tags: Belmont Stakes, Horse Racing News, Preakness Stakes, Shackleford
