Note: Article updated June 4 to reflect current odds.

Even though the NBA and NHL playoffs are in full steam, it's the horse racing world that will be the center of attention on June 6 with the running of the Belmont Stakes. American Pharoah will attempt to become the first horse since Affirmed did the trick in 1978. There have been plenty of others who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown since then, including California Chrome last year and I'll Have Another in 2012, but neither was unable to get the victory in the Belmont.


In all, there have been 13 horses to enter the Belmont with a chance to sweep the three classic races since 1978 and all came up short, showing just how difficult a feat it is to win three races in a span of five weeks. An extra week between both races may help, but it's hard to change a tradition.

There are a number of factors working against American Pharoah, such as the past 10 Belmont winners did not compete in the Preakness, and six of the last eight Belmont winners didn't compete in either of the first two Triple Crown races.

But eventually, another Triple Crown winner is going to emerge. It's just a question of when and there are plenty of people who believe it's going to be this year. Even with the race a little more than a week away, there are plenty of betting opportunities available for the Belmont.

2015 Belmont Odds

AMERICAN PHAROAH-130

FROSTED +450

MATERIALITY +600

MUBTAAHIJ +1150

TALE OF VERVE +1850

MADEFROMLUCKY +1650

KEEN ICE +2300

FRAMMENTO +3350

As you can see, Frosted and Materiality are given the best chance of beating American Pharoah, with Mubtaahij and Tale of Verve all in a group just below the other two in the odds at Bookmaker.

You also have the opportunity to wager that he won't win the Triple Crown at some sportsbooks. The price at Bovada on Friday morning, May 29, was -120 either way, giving you the rare opportunity to bet against a horse winning a race, which is something that doesn't happen all too often.

The field is likely to be a bit on the smaller side, as it looks as though only eight horses will break from the starting gate on June 6 and it's hard to picture anybody beating the favorite, as long as he's relatively healthy, which is always a concern in the Triple Crown, along with how well he handles the distance.

Trainer Bob Baffert is taking it easy with the horse, who should ship to New York from Kentucky the Tuesday before the race and won't workout over the course, but instead will just gallop leading up to the June 6 race. The weather doesn't look to play a factor, as there's just a 5-percent chance of rain early in the day. A dry Belmont track tends to tire horses out a bit, especially when going a mile-and-a-half, so Victor Espinoza will have his work cut out for him.

Of the contenders, the one I'd be worried about most is Mubtaahij, who didn't run particularly well in the Kentucky Derby, but has rested up a little bit and should be fresh for the Belmont.

This year could very well be the one to see the drought end and betting on Pharoah isn't the worst wager that you could make, so it's worth a small play.