2008 Belmont Stakes Predictions

Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Belmont Stakes predictions give you a quick rundown of the field. Jimmy ranks the Belmont contenders according to the ability they have shown to this point. The order of these horses won't necessarily be his Belmont Stakes picks so make sure you check back to see Jimmy's win, place, and show horses for race day. The best car doesn't always win in auto racing and the best horse doesn't always win in thoroughbred racing as there are a number of other factors to consider. 

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Big Brown – The Triple Crown bidder is unbeaten and untested in his career. His hoof problems have not cost him a race yet so it's hard to think they will start now.

Casino Drive – One might say that Casino Drive was bred for this race. He only has two wins in his career, but his sole purpose for coming over to the U.S. after racing in Japan was to win the Belmont Stakes. He is the half-brother to the two previous Belmont Stakes winners.

Behindatthebar – This Todd Pletcher horse showed its promise when it won the Coolmore Lexington Stakes in April. It's connections then decided to keep it out of the Derby in favor if the less crowded Preakness. An injury forced him to scratch the Preakness Stakes so this horse will have 2 months of fresh legs on its side. Se can't forget that Pletcher's Rags to Riches won this race last year.

Denis of Cork – This third place Derby horse will also have fresh legs after sitting out the Preakness Stakes. He ran his best race as a three year old, winning impressively at the Illinois Derby. He doesn't look as good as Big Brown, but he is a horse which should be right there if Big Brown makes a mistake.

Macho Again – This horse has really come on strong of late and that makes him a dangerous underdog. His gene pool suggest that he has the makings of a champion. His sire was two year old champion Macho Uno and his sire was the 1994 Horse of the Year – the great Holy Bull. This horse ran an impressive second place in the Preakness Stakes and could be peaking at just the right time.

Tale of Ekati – This fourth place Derby horse is largely in the same position as Denis of Cork with fresh legs after sitting out the Preakness. Oddsmakers are favoring the Derby horses as they are supposed to be the elite of this three year old class, but he could be a disappointment.

Tomcito – This horse could turn some heads in the Belmont Stakes if he can return to form, but where he is at currently suggests he is on the decline. This is the only horse in the field which has already won at the demanding 1.5 mile distance this year. He started the season with four wins and a second in five starts in Peru, but thus far North American races have not been kind to him.

Anak Nakal – This is one of Nick Zito's top horses this season and another Derby horse. This horse has shown all kinds of potential in the past, but a seventh place Derby finish has many soured on him.

Icabad Crane – The third place Preakness finisher came on strong after starting slow. Perhaps this horse will benefit from a longer race, but we don't really have any inclination of that yet.

Ready's Image – This Pletcher horse has had some early success but is not considered Pletcher's his best shot here.

Mint Lane – He ran second to Casino Drive in the Peter Pan Stakes, but that doesn't give me nearly enough confidence to make any big moves with this long shot.

Spark Candle – He has regarded as the second best horse in those Peter Pan Stakes run at Belmont Park, but that's not the way the race turned out so at this point Mint Lane gets the higher ranking. His pedigree is good, son of 1992 Horse of the Year and Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy, but he is yet to show that kind of star power.

Do all of your Belmont Stakes betting at BodogLife.com this year. Sign up for an account and make an initial deposit and Jimmy Boyd will give you free premium service. If you like his horse racing handicapping, you'll love cashing in with his football, basketball, and baseball picks all year long.

• Odds to win the 2008 Preakness

May 12, 2008