Can Any Horse Beat American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes?

With American Pharoah revving up for what could be the first Triple Crown win in nearly 40 years, we ask the question:  Can any of this year’s entrants beat American Pharoah at the Belmont Stakes?

All have at least one thing going in their favor:  They will have fresh legs when compared to the favorite.

American Pharoah was coming in at decent -130 odds requiring a $13 bet to win $10 (the $13 bet is refunded should he win and you profit $10).

On paper, both Frosted and Materiality appear to have the best shot of beating American Pharoah.  They are listed with 5/1 and 6/1 odds, respectively.

Frosted 5/1 - Frosted has posted only one Grade 1 victory entering Belmont, the Wood Memorial in April, but has had several good showings, including a fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

Materiality 6/1 - He won his first three races, including the Florida Derby, but finished sixth at the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness.  The “jockey factor” will be important here as John Valazquez did win at the Belmont three years ago.

Mubtaahij 12/1 – He finished eighth at the Kentucky Derby more than nine lengths back of American Pharoah, so it is difficult seeing him have much success here.

MadeFromLucky 12/1 – He won the Peter Pan Stakes on May 9 at Belmont Park and could pull a “Tonalist” at this year’s Belmont Stakes.  Tonalist was the horse that hadn’t entered either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes and went on to upset California Chrome in Belmont, thus depriving him of his Triple Crown.  Tonalist had also won the Peter Pan.

Tale of Verve 15/1 – Finished 2^nd behind American Pharoah at this year’s Preakness Stakes though he still lost by seven lengths.  Still, he’ll come into this one a bit less exhausted having not run the Kentucky Derby.   Jockey Gary Stevens, who rode Tale of Verve at the Preakness, had a 2^nd place finish riding Firing Line at this year’s Kentucky Derby, it should be noted.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com