The state of New York badly needs some positive news and they were hoping Belmont Stakes odds would be helpful. Unfortunately for the state of New York, Belmont Stakes betting is not going to be as popular as it could have been since the race will not have either the Kentucky Derby winner or the Preakness winner.
Belmont Stakes odds will be wide open but they will not get the type of press that the state of New York needed. Horse racing in New York is in bad shape. It is possible that Saturday, June 5th could be the last day of racing in New York. Saratoga is supposed to start their meet on July 23rd but there is no guarantee that is going to happen. The New York Racing Association is in sad shape. “We need some financial relief from the state or we will not be able to run a full Belmont meet,” NYRA president and CEO Charles E. Hayward said, “Everyone knows what’s at stake and we’re trying to reach a good solution.” The NYRA is owed a lot of money by New York City Off-Track Betting and now the Belmont will not have a Triple Crown on the line which means another $3 million down the drain.
Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will not be part of the field in Belmont Stakes odds. Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky won’t run either. They could get their rematch in the Haskell at Monmouth Park in August. “I like the Belmont but it’s a tough race on them,” said Lookin at Lucky trainer Bob Baffert, “I want to keep this horse around.”
Nick Zito’s Ice Box, who was second in the Kentucky Derby is going to be the likely favorite in Belmont Stakes odds. “It’s sad that the Derby winner and the Preakness winner aren’t in there,” said Zito. Ice Box will likely be joined by Dwyer Stakes winner Fly Down who is also trained by Zito. He is very sad about the racing situation in New York. “It kills me,” Zito said, “It’s ridiculous. It’s a hard thing to swallow because New York is New York.”
Other horses that could be in the Belmont Stakes betting field include Drosselmeyer, Preakness second place finisher First Dude, Dublin, Game On Dude, Make Music for Me, New Madrid, Setsuko, Stately Victor, Stay Put and Uptowncharlybrown.