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California Chrome Opens as the Odds-On Favorite to Win the Belmont

Belmont Stakes Odds: Horse racing is getting a big boost this year as there will be a Triple Crown on the line on Saturday, June 7th in the Belmont Stakes. California Chrome will be attempting to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown. The horse opened up as the odds-on favorite to win the race and there is a good chance he will go off with odds of 5-6 or lower. California Chrome has been very impressive winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness but the Belmont Stakes is a mile and a half and it is a grueling distance. Let’s look at the current numbers and the possible starters for the 2014 Belmont Stakes.

2014 Belmont Stakes Odds
California Chrome is the heavy favorite to win the 2014 Belmont Stakes. He is the standout in the field and the public will be betting him to make history. There should be a couple of other horses that go off at single-digit odds but when there is a Triple Crown on the line there is normally one favorite and a bunch of longshots. The public bettors want to be part of history so they are going to be betting on California Chrome.

Possible Contenders
If California Chrome doesn’t win then you can make a case for a number of horses. The Belmont is not like the Preakness and longshots do have a good chance. Wicked Strong and Danza are likely to go off with odds of less than 10-1. Commanding Curve and Ride on Curlin will probably have odds in the range of 10-1. The two newcomers, Tonalist and Commissioner could also have odds in that race. They both missed the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness but finished first and second in the Peter Pan Stakes. Longshots include Samraat, Social Inclusion, Intense Holiday and Kid Cruz.

Triple Crown History
Belmont Stakes odds favor California Chrome but history does not. Did you know that only 11 horses have ever won the Triple Crown? There have actually been more horses (12) that have tried for the Triple Crown and failed since Affirmed won the Triple Crown in 1978. California Chrome’s co-owner said that if his horse doesn’t win the Triple Crown then he doesn’t expect to ever see a horse do it. “I honestly believe that if the Triple Crown is not won this year by California Chrome, I will never see it in my entire lifetime,” California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn said.

Written by Tom Wilkinson

Tom Wilkinson has been a sports writer for the last 25 years and he has been a fantasy football fanatic for the last decade. His extensive experience started in Las Vegas in the 1980's and continued around the country during the 1990s. Look for his expertise as he
covers NFL fantasy football.

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