With a Triple Crown on the line, Thoroughbred racing takes center stage on Saturday at Belmont Park for California Chrome’s bid in the Belmont Stakes to become only the 12th horse to complete a sweep of the three classic races.
The America’s Best Racing brand ambassadors have outlined their personal betting strategies for the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown with a budget of $20.
Are you suffering from a case of “Chromitis” like I am this Triple Crown season? California Chrome is on an incredible six-race winning streak, including the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. I'm confident that the Belmont Stakes will be Chrome's lucky seventh win. My strategy for betting the Belmont was simple: decide which horses out of the field of 11 have the potential stamina and speed to keep up with California Chrome at the finish line.
I was quite impressed with Commanding Curve’s performance in the Kentucky Derby, finishing second to California Chrome at 37-to-1 odds. After not competing in the Preakness, Commanding Curve should be well rested and ready to run but I do wonder if he can last the extra quarter-mile. Ride On Curlin finished second to California Chrome in the Preakness. Between Ride On Curlin's lineage (Curlin — Magical Ride by Storm Cat) and jockey John Velazquez on board, I think that he will be riding close to California Chrome in the Belmont. Wicked Strong and General a Rod are definite contenders in this race, and I could easily see them finding a spot in the top three on Saturday.
Picks: California Chrome (No. 2), Commanding Curve (No. 4), Ride On Curlin (No. 5), Wicked Strong (No. 9), General a Rod (No. 10)
My Strategy: $5 Exacta 2 with 4,5,9,10 = $20
As racing fans we all want nothing more than for California Chrome (#2) to win the Belmont and capture the Triple Crown. But from a betting perspective, we also know from history that the odds are stacked against him - despite the 2-to-5 or 3-to-5 you’ll see on the tote board at post time.
We all know California Chrome is the best horse in the race. The question is can he make the 1 ½-mile distance after the series of incredible efforts we've already seen from him coming in. From there, we need to figure out which horses are best bred for this distance. Commissioner (#8), Matuszak (#6) and Commanding Curve (#4), to a lesser extent, all seem capable at this distance. I think #11 Tonalist is also an improving horse with a real shot to secure a placing.
COMMISSIONER
From a pace perspective, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tonalist on the lead with California Chrome stalking and surging past him at the top of the stretch. What happens from there - in terms of sorting out who finishes first through fourth - is mostly a mystery.
That said, here is how I'd approach the Belmont Stakes on a $20 budget.
Picks: California Chrome (#2), Commanding Curve (#4), Matuszak (#6), Commissioner (#8), Tonalist (#11)
My Strategy: $1 trifecta 2 with 4,6,8,11 with 4,6,8,11 ($12)
50-cent trifecta 4,6,8,11 with 2 with 4,6,8,11 ($6)
There’s not much more to say about California Chrome at this point. In my opinion, he’s looked better training in New York than he did in his two previous starts, and we all know what he did in Kentucky and Baltimore.
His ability to listen to Victor Espinoza and his cruising speed will have him in a perfect spot turning for home once again.
The two horses that I could see finishing behind him for the exacta are Ride On Curlin and Wicked Strong.
Picks: California Chrome (No. 2), Ride On Curlin (No. 5), Wicked Strong (No. 9)
My strategy: $10 exacta: 2 with 5,9 ($20)
“Chromie is My Homie” and you never bet against your homie.
There are haters are out there, knocking the merit of California Chrome’s pedigree at this distance, while also boasting the competition’s freshness. The fact remains he’s the class of this crop. His versatile running style will serve him especially well here, as all of these colts try to navigate the mammoth, 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes loop for the first time.
I’ll give some love to Wicked Strong and Tonalist, who are equally talented veterans of the Empire State. Props to Ride On Curlin, Commanding Curve, and Medal Count as well, with their impressive track records, but there’s no chance they take down my homie Chromie.
Picks: California Chrome (No.2), Medal Count (No. 1), Commanding Curve (No. 4), Ride On Curlin (No. 5), Wicked Strong (No. 9), Tonalist (No. 11)
My strategy: $4 exacta — 2 with 1,4,5,9,11 ($20)
Like just about everyone else I'm team “Chromie Macaroni.” After his win in the Derby and especially after this Preakness, I wholeheartedly believe that the Belmont Stakes will be his seventh consecutive win.
His last two trips were absolutely perfect with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard, and I'm looking forward to seeing his purple-and-green silks pass the finish line first. I think Wicked Strong, Tonalist and Ride On Curlin are the next best three and expect to see them hit the board after Chrome.
Picks: California Chrome (#2), Ride On Curlin (#5), Wicked Strong (#9), Tonalist (#11)
My strategy: $3 trifecta: 2 with 5,9,11 with 5,9,11 ($18)
It’s a California Chrome world, and we are all just living in it.
The two horses I like best to finish second (and potentially beat California Chrome, should things break just the right way) are Medal Count and Tonalist.
I love Medal Count’s breeding for the grueling 1½-mile distance of the Belmont, and he encountered a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago. Tonalist looked great winning the Peter Pan Stakes off a three-month layoff and might improve off that race in the Belmont. He seems to be training well and looks the part, according to all accounts.
Picks: California Chrome (#2), Medal Count (#1), Tonalist (#11)
My Strategy: $2 exacta box 1, 2, 11 ($12)
$4 exacta key 2 with 1,11 ($8)
