No Clear Favorite for Belmont Stakes

Despite the fact that odds makers at Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, are favoring Steppenwolfer - the Kentucky Derby third-place-finisher - to capture the final leg of the Triple Crown at this Saturday's 138th running of the Belmont Stakes, more than 88 per cent of Sportsbook.com bettors are placing their wagers on other horses.

Steppenwolfer is listed at 3-1 to win the historic 1 1/2 mile-long race, but bettors are favoring Jazil, listed at 9-2. Jazil has one win in seven starts and finished the Kentucky Derby in a dead heat for fourth. Bettors are also favoring Preakness third-place finisher Hemingway's Key, owned by New York Yankees proprietor George Steinbrenner. Hemingway's Key, listed at 15-1, is a weak favorite according Sportsbook.com odds makers, but bettors appear to like the fact that the colt will be ridden by Jeremy Rose, the same jockey who won the 2005 Belmont with Afleet. Bluegrass Cat is a strong favorite with bettors and odds makers alike, listed at 7-2 and receiving more than 12 per cent of wagers.

"Everybody bets on the Triple Crown series," said Alex Czajkowski, Sportsbook.com. "Even though the 2006 Belmont Stakes does not feature a Triple Crown contender, it promises to be a very exciting race, particularly for bettors. It's a wide open field - and based on the betting trends at Sportsbook.com, the Belmont is anyone's race to win."

2006-06-09