Belmont Stakes 2011 - Animal Kingdom favourite – Shackleford, track conditions look to upset
Not a probable for the 2011 Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom, made an unexpected start when Toby’s Corner was the favourite from Graham Motion’s side to start in the Kentucky Derby.
Few weeks before the start, Toby’s Corner had a slight injury and that opened the gate for Animal Kingdom.
Winning the Kentucky Derby and finishing second in the Preakness Stakes made him one of the favourites to win the Belmont Stakes and on the road to the Belmont Stakes, he picked up a rivalry with the Preakness Stakes winner, Shackleford.
A crucial rivalry spawned between the Kentucky Derby winner and the Preakness Derby champ Shackleford was born and the likes of which we haven’t seen since 2005 clash between Giacmo and Afleet Alex.
The other eleven three-year olds have an equally even chance to win the Belmont Stakes as Animal Kingdom, or, Shackleford. Despite Animal Kingdom being placed at 2-1 odds, the marathon length of the Belmont Stakes could take its toll on any horse regardless
what the odds are.
One and a half mile racing track has seen many unknown horses win the Belmont Stakes, who had never won a single race in their whole career. Horses such as, Commendable, Sarava and Da’ Tara.
Belmont Stakes is run on a longer distance than the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes and Shackleford could gain advantage from this fact because it could leave him as a favourite for the final stretch.
The rivalry makes this year’s Belmont Stakes special. Records are tumbling this year, as six other horses that had a run in the Derby are included in this year Belmont Stakes other than Animal Kingdom and Shackleford. That makes a total of eight horses competing
in the Belmont Stakes that also ran in the Kentucky Derby, which has never happened before.
Besides the tough competition, there is a serious heat factor and New York’s been hit by a heat wave, which will be fatal for the horses well-being and their chances in the Belmont Stakes. For that trainers have to take pre-cautionary measures in order to
keep them cool and fit for the race.
They can’t afford to overwork their horses in heat and kept them inside their barns because this heat factor could play a decisive role in the outcome of the race.
On the weather perspective, there is a thunderstorm forecasted on race day and that could also affect the race track, since Belmont Stakes is run on dirt. So, all these details are to be considered before the race and plans have to be formulated to tackle
the conditions as well as the horses.
The 143rd Belmont Stakes is set to get underway on 11 June, 2011, and it’s going to be an enthralling event, full of excitement. With a worthy purse of $1million riding on the race, so many contenders with impressive history, and, the unpredictable
nature and history of the Belmont Stakes, who knows about the outcome?
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