After another week of listening to experts discuss the merits of Animal Kingdom versus Shackleford, it’s finally race day for those fans wanting to see which horse comes out on top at the 2011 Belmont Stakes. The 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes features both winners of the Kentucky Derby (Animal Kingdom) and Preakness (Shackleford) against each other, along with some interesting darkhorse candidates.
The updated odds from Daily Racing Form are in and Shackleford is a surprising 16-1, which makes him a good bet at least at this point. Others like Master of Hounds and Nehro are actually much more favored at this point — a sign that Shackleford was indeed an upset at the Preakness.
Here are the official odds as of late Friday:
1. Master of Hounds, 5-1
2. Stay Thirsty, 12-1
3. Ruler On Ice, 42-1
4. Santiva, 8-1
5. Brilliant Speed, 9-1
6. Nehro, 5-1
7. Monzon, 55-1
8. Prime Cut, 18-1
9. Animal Kingdom, 5-2
10. Mucho Macho Man, 6-1
11. Isn’t He Perfect, 39-1
12. Shackleford, 16-1