Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest may feature its most competitive field ever this year as the sponsoring company, Nathan's Famous, Inc., held qualifying tournaments across the country in an attempt to find the reigning champion's (Joey Chestnut) equal. Odds makers are still firmly in Chestnut's corner, though, as the four time Yellow Mustard Belt winner is listed as a -400 moneyline favorite to retain his title in the latest Sports Betting Odds. Tomorrow's contest, which is an annual Fourth of July event, is scheduled to get underway at 12:00 PM ET at Coney, Island in Brooklyn, New York; it will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Takeru Kobayashi ruled the Nathan's 
Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest for six years, but in 2007 an American from Vallejo, California, Joey Chestnut, dethroned the Japanese champ by consuming 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut not has not lost the event since as his streak hit four last year when he downed 54 hot dogs.
Kobayashi was banned from last year's event after his refusal to sign the necessary Major League Eating paperwork, but he showed up anyway only to be arrested for storming the eating stage. The Nagano native's 2010 actions have resulted in another ban this year.
Chestnut, without his arch rival in the mix, will look to dominate a field that includes familiar competitors in Erik Denmark, Pat Bertoletti, Tim Janus, and Gravy Brown.
Of those names, Bertoletti and Janus probably represent the biggest threat to Chestnut's crown. Bertoletti ate 38 hot dogs at last year's contest but he scarfed down 55 in route to a third place finish in 2009. Janus, who placed fourth in 2009 after eating 53 hot dogs and buns, consumed 45 at last year's contest.
Chestnut, despite last July's lackluster total (tongue firmly in cheek), ingested a world record 68 hot dogs at the 2009 Nathan's Famous. The Over/Under for Chestnut in tomorrow's action is currently set at 67.5 hot dogs; the Under is favored at -250 odds.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2011 Odds:
Joey Chestnut – Total Hot Dogs
Over 67.5 (+175)
Under 67.5 (-250)
