HORSE RACING - Sat 08/06/2013 - 05:33 EDT

2013 Belmont Stakes: Bovada Racebook Odds & SBR Predictions

Test of the Champion – the name says it all doesn’t it? The 145th running of the Belmont Stakes is now just hours away. The third leg of the Triple Crown Racing Series, run at 1.5 miles, is a true test of a Champion.

Our handicapping crew joins Orb as we both attempt to capture the Kentucky Derby-Belmont Stakes double. A full field of 14 horses will head to the gate at 6:36 PM ET on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Belmont Park.

Orb returns to his familiar barn at his home track

After an extremely impressive run in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, that was followed by a misguided and disappointing trip in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Park, Orb returns home to Belmont Park as he attempts to become the 12th horse to capture the Kentucky Derby-Belmont Stakes double. Being as we are all creatures or habit, we like the fact that Orb is back in familiar territory at the legendary Big Sandy. Bovada.lv bookmakers feel the same as Orb, who leaves from PP #5, is a 3/1 morning line favorite to win the third jewel of the horse racing Triple Crown.

Revolutionary and Oxbow round out top three Belmont Stakes favorites

Following wins in the Withers Stakes (G3) and Louisiana Derby (G2), Revolutionary finished third in the Kentucky Derby, then skipped the Preakness, and comes into the Belmont with 9/2 odds at Bovada. After a 6th place finish in the Run for the Roses, Oxbow shocked the horse racing world with a gate to wire win in the Preakness and he comes into the Belmont with a 5/1 line. Freedom Child, winner of the Peter Pan Stakes on a sloppy Belmont track on 05/11/13 and the lone filly in the race Unlimited Budget – piloted by Rosie Napravnik, are both posted as 8/1 contenders.