2011 Belmont Stakes Post Positions
Written by Jack Jones - Google +
The post positions have been drawn for the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes. Bettors from around the world will be making their moves after seeing where the horses will take off out of the gate for the third leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, June 11th. I am going to list the post positions for you below, but first I want to give you some information on the history of the Belmont Stakes.
Most major tracks are one-mile ovals such as Churchill Downs, Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park. Located in Elmont, New York, the Belmont is much different than your normal track. This bad boy sets up as a mile-and-a-half oval, and represents the largest dirt course in all of horse racing. That means the turns and the home stretch are both longer for this race, meaning that horses, trainers and jockey’s alike will have to make adjustments.
With most tracks, horses will start positioning themselves before the final turn. In the Belmont, the place to make your move is around the final turn to gain position heading for the home stretch. While being on the rail has posed problems at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes throughout the years, it appears like it is the place to be for the Belmont.
A record 23 winners have come from the No. 1 post position to win this race. The No. 3 and No. 5 spots are next in line with 13 winners each. The rest are the No. 7 with 12, No. 2 with 11, No. 4 with nine, No. 6 with seven, No. 8 with six, No. 9 with four, No. 10 with two and No. 11 with two as well. You must take into account that historically the Belmont Stakes has smaller fields than the Preakness or the Derby. There will be a full 12-horse field in 2011, but that’s not the case every year.
Preakness winner, Shackleford, has drawn the outside post which means that trainer Dale Romans may have to make a few adjustments. He has indicated that his horse “might have to be sent a little bit more at the start”, meaning that he is likely to try and be a front-runner once again. Animal Kingdom drew the No. 9 post and trainer Graham Motion appears pleased with the position. He stated that his horse “will be naturally closer. It’s not going to take him out of his game.”
With the rail seeming to be the place to be, there are two horses that benefited greatly from the draw. Master of Hounds will go off from position No. 1, while Stay Thirsty settles in at the No. 2 position. These are two horses that many believe are in for breakout runs in the Belmont Stakes. Master of Hounds had a troubled Derby trip and got caught up in traffic, but that shouldn’t be a factor Saturday.
Stay Thirsty has the kind of pedigree you are looking for at 1 ½ miles. He is the sire of Preakness winner Bernadini, and Bernadini’s sire is A.P. Indy, who won the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Bernadini’s grandsire is Seattle Slew, who swept the Triple Crown in 1977. Stay Thirsty has found the board in six of seven career races, though he has been defeated by 10 or more lengths in three of four Grade 1 starts.
Post Positions for the 143rd Running of the Belmont Stakes
1.) Master of Hounds, Garrett Gomez, 10-1
2.) Stay Thirsty, Javier Castellano, 22-1
3.) Ruler On Ice, Jose Valdivia Jr., 25-1
4.) Santiva, Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1
5.) Brilliant Speed, Joel Rosario, 20-1
6.) Nehro, Corey Nakatani, 9-2
7.) Monzon, Jose Lezcano, 35-1
8.) Prime Cut, Edgar Prado, 25-1
9.) Animal Kingdom, John Velazquez, 3-1
10.) Mucho Macho Man, Ramon Dominguez, 15-1
11.) Isn’t He Perfect, Rajiv Maragh, 45-1
12.) Shackleford, Jesus Castanon, 5-1
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