A Triple Crown may not be on the line this weekend, but a budding rivalry between Animal Kingdom and Shackleford should provide plenty of intrigue for Saturday's 143rd Belmont Stakes. There are also a number of solid contenders in this year's field, including Mucho Macho Man and perennial runner-up Nehro. The latest Sports Betting Odds have the Kathy Ritvo trained Mucho Macho Man listed at +900 on the moneyline, making the colt the fifth most favored to win the 2011 Belmont Stakes.
Mucho Macho Man was the sentimental 
Derby favorite for many race fans due to the health issues that Kathy Ritvo overcame in order to resume her role as a horse trainer. Ritvo, who received a heart transplant in 2008, perhaps, felt more blessed than anyone to have a horse worthy of a Classic race.
Mucho Macho Man did not win at Churchill Downs, but the colt did not disappoint either, finishing in the money ($7.00 return on a $2.00 wager) just behind Nehro and Animal Kingdom. The Preakness Stakes were a different story, though, as Macho recorded the worst finish of his 10 race career with a sixth place result at Pimlico.
The Macho Uno sired colt's performance at the Preakness raises at least one red flag for this weekend's Belmont Stakes. Is Mucho Macho Man waring down after a grueling 2011 schedule? The horse has competed in five graded stakes races this year, including three (Louisiana Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes) in the last two months.
If Macho is, indeed, losing steam, the 1 1/2 miles Belmont will certainly not do the horse any favors.
Another concern is the colt's overall record. While Mucho Macho Man does possess a number of strong finishes, he has recorded just one victory (Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes – February) since breaking his maiden last September. That history does not point toward the horse grinding out a win in the most trying of the Triple Crown runs.
Despite those issues, owner Dean Reeves feels his colt has a shot at procuring a Belmont victory.
"We think we have the best horse in the country," Reeves said. "We just need to prove it, and hope Saturday we'll do that."
Animal Kingdom +200
Nehro +400
Shackleford +400
Master of Hounds +600
Mucho Macho Man +900
Brilliant Speed +1300
Santiva +1400
Prime Cut +1500
Stay Thirsty +1800
Ruler On Ice +1800
Monzon +2500
Isn't He Perfect +3000
