Big Brown has become an even bigger favorite to win the 140th Belmont Stakes – and the Triple Crown – thanks to landing the prime starting gate for Saturday’s race.
Big Brown will begin his bid to complete the Triple Crown by breaking from the No. 1 post at the Belmont. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner drew the inside position against nine rivals Wednesday.
Oddsmakers at BetUS and BetOnline.com have Big Brown listed at -300 odds to win the Belmont and become the first thoroughbred in 30 years to win the Triple Crown.
Big Brown is 5-0, winning by a combined 39 lengths. A Belmont victory would make him the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
His main challenger, Japanese-bred Casino Drive, will start from the No. 5 post. Casino Drive is +350 to win the Belmont at BetUS and BetOnline.com.
Denis of Cork, who rallied from 20th to finish third in the Kentucky Derby, is next at +1200.
One surprise late entry is Guadalcanal. The colt is winless in five starts for owner-trainer Fred Seitz, but was second by a nose while going the Belmont distance of 1 1/2 miles in his last start on turf at Churchill Downs.
Two Preakness runners are taking on Big Brown again. Macho Again was second in the Preakness and Icabad Crane was third. Both are +2000 to win the Belmont.
The Belmont starts at 5 pm ET on Saturday and can bee seen on ABC.