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Below you will find updated information regarding the 2009 Belmont Stakes. On this page we will be posting updated articles, picks, predictions, odds and race information all pertaining to the 2009 Belmont Stakes. Bookmark this page and check back often for updates.
2009 Belmont Stakes Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 06/04/2009
The field is set for the final jewel in this year's Triple Crown. After seeing 19 horses contest the Derby and 13 give the Preakness a shot we are down to just 10 for the Belmont. Though superstar filly Rachel Alexandra won't be in the field, it's still a very compelling and surprisingly deep event. It's a sign of how tight the event could be that the longest shot on the board was installed at just 20/1.
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Belmont Handicapping: Calvin Borel Has Chance for History
by Trevor Whenham - 06/04/2009
Since Sir Barton became the first Triple Crown winner in 1919, a total of 11 horses have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Ten different jockeys have ridden those horses - Eddie Arcaro was on both Whirlaway in 1941 and Citation in 1948.
Read more about Jockey Calvin Borel
Belmont Features Six Pretenders and Four Contenders
by Greg Melikov - 06/04/2009
The last 10-horse field in the Belmont Stakes was 20 years ago when Easy Goer lived up to his name, thwarting Sunday Silence's bid to become the 12th Triple Crown champ by eight lengths.
Read more about Belmont Stakes Contenders
Belmont Stakes Jockeys
by Trevor Whenham - 06/03/2009
The jockeys are crucial in each of the Triple Crown races, but perhaps more so in the Belmont than the others. The length of the race is a real challenge for the horses involved, and is far beyond what any have run before, so managing the resources available and conserving energy are crucial.
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Belmont Stakes Pace Scenario
by Trevor Whenham - 06/03/2009
If you read any analysis of a big horse race you have probably read about the race's pace scenario. This is a crucial consideration when you are trying to handicap a race. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't totally understand what a pace scenario is, so they can't make the most use of it to reach a handicapping solution. This year's Belmont is a good race to use to get to understand a bit more about pace scenarios because it isn't too hard to decode.
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Belmont Handicapping: Post Positions Set
by Trevor Whenham - 06/03/2009
The marathon that is the Triple Crown is about to come to an end with the marathon third race - the Belmont Stakes. This 1 ½-mile race is the longest distance that most of these horses will ever be asked to run, and it is probably more than most of them are truly capable of. As is the case most years, the field sizes have dwindled through the Triple Crown trail - 19 horses in the Derby gave way to 13 in the Preakness, and now just 10 in the Belmont.
Read more about Belmont Stakes Post Positions.
Favorite Role Falls to Mine That Bird in Belmont
by Greg Melikov - 06/01/2009
The horse to beat in the 141st Belmont is the gelding that won the Kentucky Derby, but finished second in the Preakness.
Read more about Favorites in the Belmont.
Belmont Stakes Betting Tips
by Trevor Whenham - 05/29/2009
Each one of the Triple Crown races is very different, and each one requires a unique handicapping approach for success. The Belmont is particularly difficult because it asks horses to run further than they have ever run before, and than they will likely ever run again. Some horses can handle that, while others just melt in the face of the challenge.
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Belmont Stakes Betting Trends
by Trevor Whenham - 05/29/2009
Picking a winner in the Belmont Stakes has become a difficult challenge in the last few years. Three of the last seven winners have gone off at odds of 36/1 or higher. Any time a horse wins at odds like that you either have to be really, really good or really, really lucky to hit a winner.
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Fillies in the Triple Crown
by Greg Melikov - 05/29/2009
Nearly 94 years ago fillies ruled the Triple Crown roost. Regret was the 5-2 favorite to win the 1915 Kentucky Derby. The daughter of Broomstick didn't disappoint, whipping 15 males.
Read more about Fillies in the Triple Crown.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Mine That Bird
by Trevor Whenham - 05/28/2009
Mine That Bird looked as good as you can in a loss when he was a hard-closing second in the Preakness. He took his signature spot at the back of the pack out of the gate. As he went to make his move the rail was locked up tight, so he was forced to go wide. He ran into a wall of horses and was forced to check.
Read more about Mine That Bird Profile and Racing History
Belmont Stakes Profile: Flying Private
by Trevor Whenham - 05/28/2009
Flying Private did himself proud in the Preakness by seriously exceeding expectations. He went off at odds of 25/1, and for much of the race he justified that price, sitting near the back of the field and showing little spark. He made a nice move in the last quarter mile, though, moving with Mine That Bird for a while, and eventually securing a strong fourth-place finish.
Read more about Flying Private Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Miner's Escape
by Trevor Whenham - 05/28/2009
Miner's Escape was successful in his stakes debut, winning the Federico Tesio at Pimlico on Kentucky Derby day. The only note in an otherwise insignificant race was the third place finisher, Tone It Down.
Read more about Miner's Escape Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Luv Gov
by Trevor Whenham - 05/28/2009
Luv Gov, named after disgraced former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, was last seen making his stakes debut in the Preakness. He was never a factor in the race. He settled early at the back of the pack, got forced eight wide entering the stretch, and was only able to hold his ground as a few fast fading stragglers went past him in reverse.
Read more about Luv Gov Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Charitable Man
by Trevor Whenham - 05/27/2009
Charitable Man was a very impressive winner of the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont last time out. That race, which fell a week after the Derby, featured an impressive field of accomplished and promising runners. He stalked the pacesetter around the track, took over the lead at the top of the stretch, and pulled away to win by about four lengths. He was the 8/5 favorite in the seven-horse field.
Read more about Charitable Man Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Chocolate Candy
by Trevor Whenham - 05/27/2009
Chocolate Candy handled himself well in his debut on dirt, and got his owners fifth place money in the Kentucky Derby. He was squeezed out of the gate, and settled at the back of the field early. He showed real maturity as he picked off rivals while moving through traffic - first along the rail and then seven-wide down the stretch.
Read more about Chocolate Candy Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Brave Victory
by Trevor Whenham - 05/27/2009
Brave Victory was third in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont last time out. That race, which took place the weekend after the Kentucky Derby, was won by Charitable Man, another Belmont entrant. He settled in the middle of the pack and then launched a late bid for the lead.
Read more about Brave Victory Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Dunkirk
by Trevor Whenham - 05/26/2009
Both the horse and his connections would probably rather forget the last time he ran. It was in the Kentucky Derby, and nothing went right. He stumbled soon after leaving the gate, and was never comfortable again. He moved wide to find space coming into the second turn, but he failed to make a move when asked, and floundered home to a disappointing 11th-place finish.
Read more about Dunkirk Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Summer Bird
by Trevor Whenham - 05/26/2009
Summer Bird wasn't the most impressive big longshot in the Kentucky Derby, but he certainly didn't embarrass himself at 44/1 either. He settled well back in the field early on and managed to stay out of trouble. Coming into the final turn he launched a bit, and he looked like he could be making progress as he moved seven wide in the stretch.
Read more about Summer Bird Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes Profile: Mr. Hot Stuff
by Trevor Whenham - 05/26/2009
Mr. Hot Stuff ran in the Kentucky Derby, but it was far from notable. He was squeezed and bumped repeatedly at the start, and that seemed to take the life out of him. He settled near the back of the pack, moved wide on the final turn, and didn't show any interest in responding when he was asked to move in the stretch.
Read more about Mr. Hot Stuff Profile and Racing History.
Belmont Stakes: How Did We Miss Mine That Bird?
by Trevor Whenham - 05/22/2009
Ever since I sat in the grandstand at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May and watched a rocket shoot up the rail to win by 6 ¾-lengths I've been asking myself one question again and again - how in the world did everyone, and I mean everyone, miss out on picking Mine That Bird? That vexation has only grown since the horse went out in the Preakness and proved that the Derby performance was no fluke.
Read more about Mine That Bird in the Belmont.
Belmont Stakes Tradition
by Greg Melikov - 05/21/2009
Belmont Park is unique in many ways, especially concerning its showcase race that's nearly three decades older than the racetrack.
Read more about Belmont Stakes Tradition.
Early Look at the How the Belmont Field is Shaping Up
by Trevor Whenham - 05/20/2009
The Belmont is still more than two weeks away, but we're already getting a good sense of the field. It's not uncommon for the Belmont to feature the smallest field of the Triple Crown races, and this year should be no exception. Still, we can expect to see about 10 horses enter the gate by post time.
Read more about Early Look at Belmont Field.
Belmont Stakes Handicapping: Rachel Alexandra To Run in the Belmont?
by Trevor Whenham - 05/20/2009
I would not want to be Jess Jackson right now. The owner of super filly Rachel Alexandra faces a very tough decision - what should she do next? She's the hottest commodity in horse racing, and one of the hottest in recent history. That means that there are infinite options open, and almost infinite demands on her time. Jackson spent a not-so-small fortune to buy the horse two weeks ago, so he has to balance what is best for the horse, the sport, and his investment.
Read more about Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont.