Horse Racing

The Belmont Stakes – Final Battle Of The US Triple Crown

While the United Kingdom is gearing up for the Epsom Derby, racing fans across the United States are following suit preparing for the Belmont Stakes – the last race of the United States Triple Crown series.

The Belmont Stakes, scheduled for Saturday 5th June, combine with the iconic Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes to form the US version of the popular Triple Crown series; which has been modelled closely at the British original of the series.

This Saturday 5th June, twelve contenders will meet at Belmont Park Racetrack in Elmont, New York, to fight it out over the last leg of the most-followed series of races in the United States. Neither winner of the two previous races – Super Saver (Kentucky Derby) and Lookin At Lucky (Preakness Stakes) – are entered into the final race, indicating that the field may be more evenly matched in the Belmont Stakes than in the other two Triple Crown races.

The favourites in the Belmont Stakes include Ice Box and First Dude, both of whom gave great performances in the previous Triple Crown races.
Ice Box placed second as runner-up to Super Saver in the Kentucky Derby, First Dude crossed the line hot on the heels of a victorious Lookin At Lucky in the Preakness Stakes. With the winners of the first two legs no longer in the picture, these two contenders are ready to battle it out over the last opportunity to get a piece of United States Triple Crown glory.

Racing fans hoping for a United States Triple Crown Champion in 2010 were disappointed when Lookin At Lucky stole the great chance from Super Saver in the Preakness Stakes. Considering that there was not been a triple win in the series since 1978, this may have dampened the spirits of some – however, it is in fact great news for those looking forward to the Belmont Stakes.

As the big title is out of reach and none of the previous winners are competing, the last win in the series is literally available for every member of Saturday’s field. All twelve starters are up for their last chance – in their lifetime, due to the age restriction – to become part of the US Triple Crown history; which means the contest on the track will be fiercer than ever before.

If you would like to take part in our American cousins favourite racing event, check odds for the Belmont Stakes with one of our recommended online bookmakers closer to the race date.