Animal Kingdom Favorite In Belmont Field

NEW YORK - With heavy rains expected in New York today, those handicapping the Belmont field are going to have to choose a horse who has shown he is capable of handling varying surface conditions.

This past Thursday Belmont canceled their race card due to extreme temperatures. Throughout last evening cooler weather moved in and has brought with it heavy rain.

Today's race will not favor a speed horse, but rather one who can conserve their energy during the 1-1/2 mile race, and close on a wet surface.

Who will be able to handle a sloppy track today?  With a field of 12 slotted for today's Belmont, 8 of those entered ran in this year's Kentucky Derby. 

Animal Kingdom is the favorite for today's race, but during the past several years the favorites have not performed very well in the Belmont.  Animal Kingdom ran too far back in the Preakness and it cost him the race.  He has the pedigree for the distance, but he will have to bring his "A" game today and run within the pack if he intends to close well.  Animal Kingdom will break from post 9, his odds are 2/1, his jockey is John Velazquez and he is trained by Graham Motion.

Shackleford will come from post 12, with Jockey Jesus Castanon at the controlls.  He is trained by Dale Romans and his odds are 9/2.  This will be our early speed horse in the race, as there does not seem to be too much speed coming from any other contenders.  If he does set the pace, he will have to slow it down a bit mid-pack so he has something left to give in the stretch.  His pedigree isn't one for distance, but if he takes a large enough lead, he may be difficult to catch after the stretch turn.

Master Of Hounds will come from the inside post, his jockey is Garrett Gomez and he is trained by Aidan O'Brien.  His odds are at 10/1, and with a 5th place finish in the Derby he is a horse who is bred for distance and has had success on the turf.  A wet track today may be just the condition that this horse is looking for.  He is by Kingmambo, the sire of Lemon Drop Kid, who won the 1999 Belmont.

Nehro has odds of 4/1, is trained by Steve Asmussen who won the 2008-2009 Eclipse Award for Trainer of the Year.  Corey Nakatani is the jockey and they will break from post 6.  There is much to like here.  He is by Mineshaft, 2003 Horse of the Year.  Nehro broke his maiden in February and finished second in the Louisiana Derby, the Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby behind Animal Kingdom.  He skipped the Preakness and is well rested, and the trainer has been anticipating today's race.

Brilliant Speed will come from post 5 with jockey Joel Rosario.  Thomas Albertrani is the trainer and his odds are at 15-1.  In the Blue Grass Stakes he came from behind the pack to win, but took 7th in the Kentucky Derby.  He has finished in the money 6 out of 7 races.  He is by Dynaformer, the sire of Barbaro who won the 2006 Kentucky Derby.  He skipped the Preakness to prepare for today's race and this one is known for late speed.

Other horses in the field from the inside post out are PP2.  Stay Thirsty, odds 20/1 Jockey Javier Castellano, Trainer Todd Pletcher.  PP3  Ruler On Ice, odds 20/1,  Jockey Jose Valdivia, Trainer Kelly Breen.   PP4 Santiva  odds 15/1, Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, Trainer Eddie Kenneally.   PP 7 Monzon  odds 30/1, Jockey Jose Lezcano, Trainer Ignacio Correas.  This horse has three wins to his credit, but is taking a huge step upward in class.  Maybe a long shot bet here.  PP 8 Prime Cut  odds 15-1, Jockey Edgar Prado has won The Belmont twice before.  Trainer is Neil Howard.    PP10 Mucho Macho Man  Odds 10/1 Jockey Ramon Dominguez, Trainer Kathy Ritvo.  Jockey change here may help his cause.  PP11 Isn't He Perfect  Odds 30-1, Jockey Rajiv Maragh, Trainer Shivmangal Doodnauth.  His last start he finished 9th, probably won't happen here today. 

With the upset of Shackleford beating this year's Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, much of the focus today will go to these two horses,  There are a few horses that may be better suited for the marathon distance of this race and favor a closer.  However, if Shackleford or Animal Kingdom wins the Belmont Stakes the rivalry will continue to see which one can claim Horse Of The Year.