Odds to Win the Belmont Stakes 2011

Written by :

Don Shapiro

Published on :

9 June, 2011

Odds to win the Belmont Stakes 2011 had Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom as the +250 favorite and, surprisingly, the Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford at rather long 6/1 odds.

Animal Kingdom had opened at 2/1 odds to win the Belmont Stakes 2011 but was pushed up to 3/1 at some racebooks and has settled in around +250.

Underachiever Nehro was made the second favorite at +350 odds.

Animal Kingdom will start from the difficult number 9 post position. Only four winners have come from that position since 1905.

"It doesn't change anything for us," trainer Graham Motion told reporters following the post position draw. "I don't think it's going to take him out of his game."

But if you think Animal Kingdom has a disadvantage, Shackleford really has his work cut out for him.

Drawing the number 12 position, it’s one of the toughest spots to be in for a speed horse that will be racing on the longest track of the Triple Crown. Shackleford puttered out at the Kentucky Derby after leading 90 percent of the race then managed a win at the shortest track during the Preakness. Worse still is the fact that no horse has ever won from the number 12 position.

It's not a very long run to the first turn, so I do think it's important," Motion said. "I'm glad I'm not hung out there [like Shackleford]."