Belmont Stakes Preview: California Chrome Favored for Rare Triple Crown

If horse racing super stud California Chrome pulls off another first place finish at this Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, it will mark the first time a horse has achieved a Triple Crown by winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes since the Florida product Affirmed pulled it off in 1978. If Chrome takes the Belmont Stakes he will be the first California bred horse to win a Triple Crown and only the fourth bred outside of Kentucky.

The odds are heavily in California Chrome’s favor, as they were for the Kentucky Derby. While it looks like history may be made on race day, the skew to Chrome in the odds is making for some tempting underdog bets. Ride On Curlin is holding second favorite at +499. Curlin finished in a distant 7^th place at the Derby but he came out at Preakness with a strong 2^nd place finish. Curlin is known for his consistently strong efforts so he will definitely be a horse to watch.

Also looking to upset California Chrome is newcomer Tonalist. A horse that sat out the Derby and Preakness like Tonalist has won the last four of seven Belmont Stakes races. History is against the favored Chrome in many other ways. The last 11 horses who won the Derby and Preakness and then raced in the Belmont have lost. The last time a Derby winner won the Belmont was Thunder Gulch in 1995, and the last time the horse favored to win the Belmont actually won was in 2005.

Commanding Curve is also looking to spoil the day for Triple Crown hopefuls. Curve finished 2^nd place at the Derby just 1 ¾ lengths behind Chrome and is +696 at Belmont. Wicked Strong, at +800, and Medal Count, at +1500, are also hoping to redeem their Derby performances by taking California Chrome down a notch.

The Belmont Stakes is known for upsets, so with some great value picks on the ticket it’s shaping up to be great race.

Place your Belmont Stakes bets with Sports Interaction and check back for the latest odds.