Belmont News & Notes - by Brobury Sports


Unpredictable. If there was one word to describe the first two legs of this year’s Triple Crown, that would seem to be the operative word. Going into the Kentucky Derby, the consensus pick to be the favorite struggles early, never quite recovers and finishes 6th. Then, two weeks later, the horse that so impressively wins the Derby, still being ridden by one of the most successful jockeys of the past decade, struggles mightily and finishes in 8th place at the Preakness, behind the horse that was supposed to be the Derby favorite in the first place. So just like that, the drama is gone, the suspense dissipated, and the only thing that is certain is that there will be no sweeping of the Triple Crown for at least another year. Then comes news that neither of the horses that won the first two races really plan on participating in the Belmont Stakes on June 5th.
 
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of last Saturday’s Preakness was the fact that Super Saver, at no point during the race, gave any indication that he would pull out an exciting victory. Instead, he started slowly and never could make up the previous ground lost early as the leaders kicked things up a notch as the race wore on. In fact, in the past 40 years, Super Saver’s Preakness finish was the worst by a Derby winner.
 
What is known is that based on the first two races, what can be expected at Belmont is anyone’s guess. After all, the Preakness’ 2nd place finisher, who lost by just a length was First Dude, a 23-1 shot at post time. Will Ice Box, the colt whose furious finish at the Derby left everyone wanting more be able to come back in New York and win? Will either Todd Pletcher or Bob Baffert change their minds and enter their horses in search of two out of three? Do we even know the name of the horse that will win this race or will the crown be captured by another colt coming from relative obscurity to shock the racing world?
 
Some say that with no Triple Crown on the line, the allure and excitement at the Belmont Stakes just won’t be there. For those who know better, we expect the unexpected, to see another classic race in the vein of this year’s Derby and Preakness.


Check out BroburySports.com for all your Horse Betting needs.

Horse headlines

More Horse stories