Irish War Cry heads the betting for wide-open Belmont Stakes
Published:
This year’s Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the hallowed American Triple Crown, lacks star names but makes up for that by being a fascinating betting proposition.
Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness Stakes hero Cloud Computing will both be absent in New York, paving the way for some others to get their moment in the sun.
With the final 12 horses declared it’s Irish War Cry that heads the betting ahead of the 149th renewal.
The 7/2 market leader could only finish 10th in Kentucky but our odds-compilers evidently fancy an upturn in form from the previous Wood Memorial winner.
Epicharis, a three-time winner in Japan before narrowly going down in the UAE Derby, is next best at 4/1. Many observers have pointed out the raider’s tactics could well suit the track with the Kiyoshi Hagiwara-trained three-year-old fancied to stalk his rivals before pouncing at the business end.
Lookin At Lee is another lively contender at odds of 5/1. His runner-up spot in the Derby was followed by a fourth place in the Preakness and with that form in the bank he has to enter calculations.
Tapwrit (6/1) could only manage sixth at Churchill Downs, eventually finishing 10½l off the winner.
Senior Investment (7/1) stayed on well for third in the Preakness and could make another bold bid from the rear although jockey Channing Hill will likely have to hope everything falls right to get the win.
Gormley (12/1) has won at the top level before and could attract some each-way money, J Boys Echo (14/1) is arguably too exposed now while Meantime (14/1) does at least have track experience in his favour having finished as runner-up in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes last time out.
And with veteran Mike Smith in the saddle it’s not inconceivable to think he’ll outrun his odds.
Multiplier, Twisted Tom and Patch are 20/1 apiece with Hollywood Handsome a potential joker in the pack at 40/1, given trainer Dallas Stewart’s recent Triple Crown race record with horses at large odds.
Latest Ladbrokes Betting:
2017 Belmont Stakes
Irish War Cry – 7/2
Epicharis – 4/1
Lookin At Lee – 5/1
Tapwrit – 6/1
Senior Investment – 7/1
Gormley – 12/1
14/1 bar
Click here for the latest Belmont Stakes odds.
