2009 BELMONT STAKES LAST MINUTE BETTING TIPS

We're just a few hours away from the 2009 running of the Belmont Stakes and I've been keeping my eye on Belmont Park all day with this article being written during the fifth race. So far, the turf is soft and the track is rated as good and my biggest observation so far has been that horses have had trouble getting up on the final stretch.

This plays well for Charitable Man, who is going to be bringing the speed and looking to go gate-to-wire. The softness would favour Mine That Bird, but I have a feeling that he may find it difficult to dig in and start making up ground quickly for his epic closing dash.

The Betfair markets have been fluctuating all day with Mine That Bird backed at 2.72. Charitable Man carries a 4.4 price, but I expect that to shorten considerably once we get closer to post time. Dunkirk will likely lenghten a bit and I could certainly see him closer to 6.5 compared to his current price of 5.5.

These three are an excellent triactor-box possibility as there is a significant gulf between those three and the rest of the pack. Chocolate Candy is the next best favourite at 12.5 and he has been doing a fair amount of jumping around today. I expect his price to drop. The real dark horse in this one for me is 15.0 Summer Bird who is enjoying a fair amount of volume today and seems to be a significant shot at a show bet.

Flying Private trades at 26.0 and thats not a bad deal if you're obsessed with value over form. Mr. Hot Stuff can be backed 34.0 with a jump to 36.0 from Luv Gov. Brave Victory props up the field at 50.0 ahead of 40.0 Miners Escape.

I'm backing Mine That Bird, Dunkirk and Charitable Man in a box with Summer Bird my longshot favourite.