Belmont Stakes Picks (2011)

Written by :

Don Shapiro

Published on :

8 June, 2011

Our Belmont Stakes picks for the 2011 race come relatively easy. We love Animal Kingdom and Shackleford.

Both these horses have been consistent in the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness.

Shackleford nearly won the Derby after leading for 90 percent of the way. With a shorter track for the Preakness, he managed to just beat out the Derby winner Animal Kingdom.

Shackleford would pay out $600 for every $100 bet with a win at the 2011 Belmont Stakes race. Animal Kingdom would pay close to $300.

When it comes to this year’s Belmont Stakes picks, it really is all about Shackleford vs. Animal Kingdom. In the 22 times when the Derby winner went up against the Preakness victor, the Preakness champ won 10 of those times, while the Derby champ won only five times.

We have to go with Animal Kingdom here though. With an extra 1/16-mile (the comprised the Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs track) Animal Kingdom would surely have won by a couple lengths in the Preakness.

Shackleford drawing the number 12 post position is a handicap. Hence the 6 to 1 long odds.