Belmont Stakes Predictions 2008
June 6, 2008
We are about to rank the 10 horses in the Belmont field that takes place on Saturday, June 7th at the famous track in New York. Info Plays 2008 Belmont Stakes predictions will be based on information and data we have collected on the horses that have entered this field. Big Brown is the early favorite and for good reason. But let’s take a look at who could challenge him.
1.) Big Brown at 1/3 odds to win
The smart money will be down on Big Brown to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes, thus becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. Big Brown has won all 5 of his starts to remain undefeated in his career. He has yet to be tested at the distance of 1 ½ miles, but there is no doubt this freakish horse will be able to handle it. The fact that Big Brown’s Jockey, Kent Desormeaux, let up down the stretch of the Preakness shows us that we have yet to see what this pony really has. You can bet Big Brown will give his best effort on race day at the 2008 Belmont Stakes.
2.) Casino Drive at 7/2 odds to win
This is clearly the horse that has the best shot at beating Big Brown. Not many experts have seen Casino Drive race, but the secrets of this horse will come out on race day. Much has been made of Casino Drive since his Japanese connections decided a few months ago to ship the colt from the Orient specifically with the Belmont (gr. I) in mind. His one race in Japan was a ridiculously easy score at 1-5 against an overmatched group of maidens on Feb. 23. With two siblings, Jazil and Rags to Riches, winning the Belmont, he was brought to New York in an attempt to continue the streak. History gives this horse a shot with the blood line Casino Drive comes from.
3.) Dennis of Cork at 10/1 odds to win
Denis of Cork has been inspiring Derby talk since his impressive maiden victory at Churchill Downs in his first start. He followed that up with game win at Fair Grounds in January. A step into graded company produced a professional 2 1/4 victory in the Southwest Stakes. Dennis of Cork came from 2002 Derby Favorite Harlan’s Holiday, so the blood line along with some timely wins gives this horse a shot as well.
4.) Tale of Ekati at 16/1 odds to win
Tale of Ekati broke his maiden impressively at first asking last July at Belmont. He stamped his credentials further with a win the Futurity (gr. II), also at Belmont. With two wins already at Belmont for Tale of Ekati, this horse definitely has the distance to compete with Big Brown.
5.) Macho Again at 33/1 odds to win
Macho Again has been a fringe player on the Triple Crown trail this year, finishing off the board in the two graded races in which he started. He did win the ungraded Derby Trial on opening day of the Churchill Downs spring meet. Though Macho Again has not won beyond 7 1/2 furlongs, he is bred top and bottom to appreciate two turns. Macho may break through at the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes.
6.) Da’ Tara at 33/1 odds to win
Da’ Tara is an interesting addition to the Belmont (gr. I) field; with the defection of Spark Candle, Da’ Tara could be the only horse left to contest or set the pace. If he does not break well early, it could leave Big Brown on the lead. To date, Da’ Tara’s lone win in seven starts has been in the slop at Gulfstream, when he wired the field in a nine furlong maiden race. He was a non-factor in Big Brown’s Florida Derby win, after breaking very poorly. If Da’ Tara gets out in front early, this horse definitely has a shot. Starting from the No. 6 post will make that very tough.
7.) Anak Nakal at 40/1 odds to win
After a good 2-year-old season, when he won two of three starts, including the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, Anak Nakal has had a less than stellar campaign this year. He ran better than expected in the Derby, finishing seventh. But his horse probably won’t be a threat to Big Brown, just as he wasn’t in the Derby.
8.) Ready’s Echo at 40/1 odds to win
Ready’s Echo, like Big Brown, made his only one start at two before being sidelined. Unlike the Belmont favorite, though, Ready’s Echo lost his first start, finishing second to the good colt Z Humor. Ready’s Echo didn’t return until early March, winning a maiden race at Gulfstream. It was not until Keeneland in the spring until Ready’s Echo made his two-turn debut, so this horse clearly wasn’t ready for the Derby. Maybe Ready’s Echo will be primed for the Belmont, which is clearly that trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping for.
9.) Guadalcanal at 40/1 odds to win
This is a last-minute entry into the 2008 Belmont Stakes and on paper you can’t really give Guadalcanal much of a shot. But this race has a history for surprise horses spoiling the capture of the Triple Crown, and just maybe Guadalcanal will be the horse everyone is talking about for years to come. The one that ruined Big Brown’s run at the Triple Crown. Fat chance, but it would at least make a good story.
10.) Icabad Crane at 50/1 odds to win
Like Preakness winner Big Brown, Icabad Crane also came into the second jewel of the Triple Crown with just four lifetime starts; and again, like the Derby winner, he won his only outing at age two. So there are similarities between Big Brown and Icabad Crane, but unfortunately for this horse, freakish speed is not a similarity. Don’t give Icabad Crane a shot on race day.