Betting Props for the 2008 Belmont Stakes

Besides placing your straight and exotic bets for the 2008 Belmont Stakes, BodogLife.com racebook also lists Belmont Stakes prop bets to give you an opportunity to take some additional action on the big race. While some of these props are suckers bets and merely for fun others can be money making opportunities if you do your homework. Jimmy Boyd will walk you through some of BodogLife's prop bets in this article to show you the thought processes one must take when reasoning through them and to land you a couple winning wagers.

Exclusive Limited Time offer until Sunday June 8th, $100 Match Bonus for New Depositors at Bodog!

Of course there are a lot of Big Brown odds, so let's take a look at the prop which asks if Big Brown will race again after the Belmont Stakes. The yes bettors get the value at +275 underdog odds and that's where I side on this one as well. While there is speculation that Big Brown will retire following the Belmont Stakes, trainer Rick Dutrow has made it perfectly clear that the plan of Big Brown's camp is the Travers and the Breeder's Cup after the Belmont. Before Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby, owner Michael Ivarone said that be would not run next year as a four year old. However, Big Brown is now making he and his team lost of cash and that will likely be enough incentive to keep this horse running.

I also see some opportunity with the prop will Big Brown take the lead in the Belmont Stakes and then lose it? The bettors who say yes get solid +150 value and that's where I stand. The Belmont is a long race and this horse is too good not to lead at some point in my opinion. With that being said, because it is a long race, I don't expect Big Brown to lead the entire way. Whether Big Brown wins this race or not, I like him to cash this wager.

I want to take a look at the prop dealing with attendance as well. This prop asks you to predict if the attendance will exceed that of 120,139 in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown? The bettors who say yes will have to pay some juice, but I believe that is where the smart money lies here. Interest has waned in the Belmont the past three years as there has not been a Triple Crown contender, but I fully expect the horse racing enthusiasts to come out of the wood work to witness a historic race this year. A smaller field is often correlated to lesser attendance numbers, but with 12 horses slated to run, we should see that contribute to a larger crowd also.

Notice that there are several bets here which you may not want to take. For example, the prop which reads what will Big Brown's margin of victory be? The reason why these bets aren't a good idea is because they can be voided if Big Brown doesn't win. I think it is a good practice to make prop bets which can be determined no matter who wins.

Here are the BodogLife racebook Belmont Stakes props:

Will Big Brown win the Triple Crown?

Yes - Big Brown will win Triple Crown -300
No - Big Brown won't win Triple Crown +220

Will Big Brown race again after the Belmont Stakes?

Yes +275
No -400

Will Big Brown remain undefeated in 2008?

Yes - Big Brown remains undefeated in 2008 -250
No - Big Brown will be defeated in 2008 +180

What will Big Brown's margin of victory in the Belmont Stakes be?

1-5 Lengths 1-5
6-10 Lengths 7-2
Over 10 Lengths 20-1

Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first quarter mile time of the Belmont Stakes? ( According to Equibase results chart )

1st or 2nd place 1-1
3rd through 5th place 5-7
6th place or higher 14-1

Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first half mile time of the Belmont Stakes? ( According to Equibase results chart )

1st or 2nd place 1-1
3rd through 5th place 5-7
6th place or higher 14-1

Will Big Brown's winning time in 2008 Belmont Stakes be faster than that of Affirmed - 2:26 4/5. in 1978?

Yes +150
No -200

Will Belmont Park attendance for the 2008 Belmont Stakes exceed that of 120,139 in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?

Yes -275
No +200

Will the total all sources handle for Belmont Stakes exceed the record $114,887,994 wagered in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?

Yes EVEN
No -140

Will the official TV rating of the 2008 Belmont Stakes broadcast on ABC exceed the 13 share rating in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win Triple Crown?

Yes -200
No +150

Who will jockey Kent Desormeaux thank first upon being interviewed after the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

God/Jesus 6-1
Horse - Big Brown 4-1
Family or Family Member 5-4
Owner - IEAH Stables or partnership member 8-1
Trainer - Rick Dutrow 9-2
Fans/General Public 5-1

Will a member of the Clinton Family (Bill, Hilary or Chelsea) attend the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

Yes -120
No -120

Will the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, attend the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

Yes Mayor Bloomberg will attend +150
No Mayor Bloomberg won't attend -200

Which horse will win by more lengths, Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes or Curlin in the Stephen Foster Handicap June 14th?

Big Brown in Belmont Stakes EVEN
Curlin in Stephen Foster -140

Will Big Brown win the Belmont Stakes going wire to wire?

Yes +450
No -750

Will Big Brown take the lead in the Belmont Stakes and lose it?

Yes +150
No -200

Will jockey Kent Desormeaux whip Big Brown between the 1/8 pole and the finish line of the Belmont Stakes?

Yes -350
No +250

• 2008 Belmont Stakes Predictions
• 2008 Belmont Stakes picks

May 29th, 2008