The Triple Crown Series will conclude this weekend with the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes. The final jewel of the prestigious trifecta is scheduled to get underway at 6:00 PM ET on Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The legendary event, which is known as the "Test of Champions", is the longest and most daunting of the three Triple Crown races due to its 1 1/2 miles length. The favorite in this year's running, at least according to the latest Sports Betting Odds, is Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (+200).
The Belmont Stakes has spoiled a number
of Triple Crown bids over the years, but it has been particularly troublesome of late, turning back a number of notable horses in their quest for equine glory. Real Quiet (1998), Charismatic (1999), War Emblem (2002), Funny Cide (2003), Smarty Jones (2004), and Big Brown (2008) all fell short of history in Elmont.
The grueling race will not be in the robbing business this year, though. The Preakness Stakes served as this season's thief with Shackleford (+400) holding off a late charge from Animal Kingdom to take the blanket of black-eyed susans two weekend's ago.
Still, there is a great deal of drama surrounding the 143rd Belmont Stakes as the two aforementioned colts look to join some pretty select company on Saturday. Only 24 horses have won a combination of the Derby/Belmont and/or the Preakness/Belmont; the last being Afleet Alex, who followed his 2005 victory at Pimlico with a successful turn at the Belmont.
And, of course, there is always the remote possibility that a contender might challenge Secretariat's legendary track record. Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner and greatest race horse to ever live, clocked a stunning 2:24 at Belmont Park in '73, a time no other colt has even approached. In fact, the best time at the track since Big Red's legengary performance was a 2:26 turned in by Easy Goer in 1989.
Live coverage of the 2011 Belmont Stakes will be provided by NBC Sports from 5:00 to 7:00 PM EST. Post time for the actual race will take place at 6:35 PM EST.
2011 Belmont Stakes Start Times: Saturday, June 11, 2011
True North Handicap (Six Furlongs Dirt, Three year olds & up) Post Time TBA
Woody Stephens (Seven Furlongs Dirt, Three year olds) Post Time TBA
Grade 1 Foxwoods Just A Game (1 Mile Turf, Fillies and Mares) Post Time TBA
Grade 1 TVG Acorn (1 Mile Dirt, Three year old Fillies) Post Time TBA
Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (1 1/4 Mile Turf, Three year olds & up) Post Time 5:35 p.m. ET
Grade 1 Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 Mile Dirt, Three year olds) Post Time Approximately 6:35 p.m. ET
