Sadly, the 143rd Belmont Stakes will not see a Triple Crown winner; however, at least two horses have an opportunity to make history in Elmont, New York this weekend. Animal Kingdom and Shackleford, the Derby and Preakness winners, will attempt to secure two legs of the Triple Crown Series with victorious runs in the 1 1/2 miles Belmont. Should Animal Kingdom, the favorite in this weekend's race at +150 Sports Betting Odds, win Saturday, he will become the first colt to capture both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes since Thunder Gulch in 1995.
Much to the lament of horse racing fans, 
the Belmont Stakes has provided fertile ground for the unexpected in recent seasons. The grueling race has thwarted four Triple Crown bids in the last 10 years, the most recent being a shocking 2008 upset of Big Brown by Da'Tara. The loss (ninth place), which proved to be Brown's only in eight career races, robbed the Boundary sired colt of the Triple Crown.
The legendary track could prove troublesome, once again, this weekend, with many placing their money on surprise Derby winner Animal Kingdom. Should the colt come up short, the Belmont would only add to its history of unpredictability.
There is much to like about Animal Kingdom, though, and his chances to win on Saturday.
The Leroidesanimaux sired colt finished strong at the Derby and Preakness, showing both stamina and speed down the back stretch in both Classics. In fact, had the Preakness (1 3/16 miles) been the same 1 1/4 miles as the Derby, Animal Kingdom probably would have overtaken Shackleford at Pimlico.
The manner in which the lightly raced horse closed out those two runs would inidcate that the length of the Belmont is not going to be a problem.
Animal Kingdom also has the advantage of jockey John Velazquez piloting him this weekend. Belmont Park serves as Velazquez' home track and he already has one Belmont Stakes win, which came in 2007 aboard Rags to Riches. The veteran rider's experience at the facility should only bolster the horse chances of winning on Saturday.
As Velezquez indicated earlier this week, the prodigious length of the track has a tendency to fool many jocks.
"The guys who ride here or people who have ridden here have a better idea of where they are," Velazquez said. "If you don't ride here or pay attention you get lost and you can get lost very quickly."
Belmont Stakes 2011 Predictions:
Animal Kingdom +150
Nehro +350
Shackleford +400
Master of Hounds +800
Mucho Macho Man +800
Prime Cut +1300
Santiva +1300
Brilliant Speed +1300
Stay Thirsty +1800
Ruler On Ice +1800
Isn't He Perfect +2500
Monzon +2500
