California Chrome Odds Still Pay Better Than Even at BetDSI.com

Probably no better place to bet California Chrome than BetDSI.com, which, as of late morning, was still offering this favorite at better than EVEN odds.

More than half the betting action on Saturday’s Belmont Stakes is coming in on California Chrome as he looks to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win a Triple Crown.

But it’s also true that 12 horses since that time have had the opportunity to capture that coveted title following Kentucky Derby and Preakness wins.  Each has come up short. Alas, Chrome will be lucky number 13 to make the attempt.

Ron Turcotte, the jockey who led Secretariat to the Triple Crown 41 years ago, feels confidant that this time will be different.

"It's very, very important," Turcotte said in an interview with USA Today. "He should win and I think he will win. And he must win. It's all up to (jockey) Victor (Espinoza) now. Unless everybody is taking a pot shot at him or roughing him up, he should win."

This will not be Espinoza’s first attempt at riding a horse destined for the Triple Crown.  He rode War Emblem at Belmont after that favorite won the Derby and Preakness Stakes only to finish 8^th.  War Emblem had stumbled out of the gate and never got himself back together.

California Chrome will start from the number two post position, which has yielded the most winners in Belmont Stakes history.

We know one group of people who won’t be rooting for Chrome other than the competing owners.  That would be the bookmakers.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com