2015 Belmont Stakes Betting Preview PT 3

He finished a credible sixth place in the Kentucky Derby but was a disappointment for a number of punters who expected a much bigger run from him and, similar to Frosted, he was forced to the rear of the pack in the race and unleashed a furious charge in the final 1/4 mile to get from 13th place all the way up to sixth. The horse looked hesitant at times and clearly struggled with the massive traffic trouble we usually get for horses coming out of the pack in the Kentucky Derby. 

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE BET WITH WILLIAM HILL!

One of the big potential spoilers in the Kentucky Derby was the talented and well-regarded Mubtaahij, who won the UAE Derby in grand style to confirm his ticket to Louisville but was only able to muster up an eighth place finish after taking a lot of money and looming as the clear “wise guy" horse for many. UAE Derby winners generally don’t come into the Kentucky Derby with a lot of hype behind them but it was a bit different for Mubtahiij - who has a dirt pedigree and triumphed over the dirt surface at Meydan. For years, the race was conducted on synthetic and many American thoroughbred racing aficionados felt as though that wouldn’t set horses up properly for victory abroad. 

The concerning thing about Mubtahiij was that he flattened out as the race went on, despite him being able to pass horses through much of the race. Initially he was back in twelfth and made steady progress until he ranged up on the outside with 1/4 of the race still go to. He faded out from sixth back to eighth as a number of runners were able to muster up much more convincing finishes. 

Regardless, the horse is said to be training well at Belmont Park and has been enjoying the surface according to those who are associated with the horse. Expect him to make another big impression in the betting markets on the day of the big race. You’ll find him right now priced anywhere from 10/1 all the way up to 16/1. 

Those three horses loom as the largest challengers to the potential Triple Crown this year but there are a number of other outside contenders who look likely to make things a little trickier as well and punters have genuine faith in any of these runners will be well-rewarded on the day by some solid prices - particularly in the each-way markets. You can do well to back good horses who want to stretch out in distance in the Belmont Stakes and the 1m4f distance opens things up for some outsiders who lack a traditionally good classic distance pedigree in the United States.