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Horse racing Betting - Brown on the rail
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Horse Racing Betting at WagerWeb Racebook |
Oddsmakers are as confident in Big Brown for Saturday's Belmont Stakes as the horse's trainer, Rick Dutrow, is in the colt.
Big Brown was installed as a 2-5 morning line to win the 140th Belmont Stakes and become thoroughbred racing's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed 30 years ago.
``I just don't think there is any horse out there that can compete with Big Brown at this stage,' trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said in a statement. ``The only horse that is even remotely close is Casino Drive and I'm not afraid of him at all. I have Big Brown.'
However, Big Brown will leave from the No. 1 post position in the 10-horse field. He won the Kentucky Derby from the No. 20 spot and the Preakness from No. 6
The danger from the No. 1 post is that even the slightest hesitation when the gates open leaves a horse vulnerable to being shuffled back as the rest of the field moves directly inside.
The advantage for Big Brown is that the inside route is the shortest distance from the start to the finish 1½ miles later. And the undefeated (5-for-5) colt has already shown he has enough early-, middle-or late-race speed to prevail even if a worst-case scenario develops for jockey Kent Desormeaux.
"I might have some of my options taken away, but if I do, I'll just let him go and start expanding his stride," Desormeaux said. "Big Brown is the best horse I've ever ridden."
He says the inside spot is a benefit.
"Absolutely, because it's an easier trip," Desormeaux said. "I would be able to just guide and glide. Now, I'm going to have to jockey for position. He's so fast away from the gate, though, the race might be over in 40 yards."
The No. 1 post has produced the most Belmont winners (23) since 1905.
Desormeaux is 0-for-5 on Belmont Stakes rides and had prior Triple Crown opportunity ended when Real Quiet as nosed out by Victory Gallop in 1998. Desormeaux asn't had a Belmont Stakes mount since 2002, when he inished second on Medaglia d'Oro.
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