2014 Belmont Stakes Start Time Allows for More Wagers: Vegas Not Loving Chrome

One of the most critical periods for betting during any of the Triple Crown races is that 6 pm window until post time and, with the Belmont Stakes 6:52 pm EDT, bookmakers and gamblers alike have nearly the entire hour to place wagers.  GET CALIFORNIA CHROME AT BETTER THAN EVEN ODDS HERE NOW  .

This amounts to approximately an entire half hour extra time in which to take bets compared to the Kentucky Derby with a start time of 6:24 pm EDT and the Preakness, which goes off at 6:18 pm EDT.   In some cases this could translate into thousands of dollars more in additional bets placed.

Even for online websites, bettors typically start getting their money down the three hours leading up to post time with a mad fury just one hour prior.

Bookies, more than in previous years, are looking to capitalize on the potential for California Chrome winning at Triple Crown.   Emphasis is on “the potential” since they don’t actually want him to win.  More than half the money will be on California Chrome.  The favorite losing would translate into a sweet profit for these race books. 

In Vegas, however, gamblers aren’t completely sold on California Chrome.

“There are other quality horses in this race,” said Chuck Esposito, Sunset Station race and sports book director, in an interview the Las Vegas Sun.  “The more money bet on California Chrome, the more value you can find on the other horses. You look at Wicked Strong who a lot of people like, Commanding Curve who came in second in the Derby and all the hype on Ride On Curlin’.”

Wynn Resorts reported balanced action on their prop asking if California Chrome would take the Triple Crown.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com