Belmont Stakes 2011 – Animal Kingdom 2-1 Favourite, Nehro placed at 4-1, Shackleford 9-2
The ultimate show down between the Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, and, the Preakness Stakes winner, Shackleford, will get underway on June 11, 2011 in New York.
The 143rd Belmont Stakes, with a purse of $1 million, distance of 1 ½ miles, weight limit of 126 pounds, will award $600,000 to the first place winner. The second place winner will get $200,000, third $110,000, $60,000 to the fourth, and, $30,000
to the fifth place holder.
It’s been an enthralling build up to the Belmont Stakes and it all points to something spectacular.
The Kentucky Derby winner and the Preakness Stakes runner-up Animal Kingdom has been placed as the 2-1 favourite at the post position draw at the Belmont Park for the $1 million Grade One Belmont Stakes. He will break from post 9 in the field.
It’s not surprising that the Leroidesanimaux colt is a favourite for the race. He seemed to kick it up a notch at the end of both races, so covering the marathon distance of Belmont Park should not be that much of a problem. His time at the Derby was 2 minutes
and 2 seconds.
Shackleford was placed as the 9-2 favourite. The upset winner at the Preakness Stakes, who won it in 1 minute and 56.21 seconds, will surely have something to say about the draw for third at the race. He breaks from post 12 on the outside.
Nehro still looks as the main contender and the one to watch out for among the three-year-old class. He is the second favourite placed at 4-1 and got post 6. His mount will be Corey Nakatani.
I'm not worried about Shackleford. I'm worried about Mucho Macho Man. He's the horse to beat." -- Barry Irwin, Animal Kingdom owner.
This year should be titled as the year of upsets and if Mucho Macho Man recognizes the trend and goes all out, who knows?
He certainly has the ability to win the Belmont Stakes. Ramon Dominguez would be looking for a composed start from his horse and without any shoe losing incidents Mucho Macho Man, should give the favourites a run for their money.
Barry Irwin has been clear about the threat Animal Kingdom Faces in the shape of Mucho Macho Man makes him the one to watch out for.
Derby runner Mucho Macho Man got post number 10, who finished third at Churchill Downs, and, Master of Hounds captured the fifth place at the Derby and drew post 1. Both of them have been given odds of 10-1.
Post numbers should not worry the owners and trainers because they are not as crucial at Belmont Park, as they were in the Kentucky Derby, and, the Preakness Stakes.
The rest of the horses are listed as, Brilliant Speed placed at 15-1, who finished seventh in the Derby. Santiva is also placed as 15-1. Ruler on Ice and Stay Thirsty both are at 20-1.
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