Belmont Stakes Picks (2011)

Our Belmont Stakes picks for the 2011 race come relatively easy.  We love Animal Kingdom and Shackleford.

Both these horses have been consistent in the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness.

Shackleford nearly won the Derby after leading for 90 percent of the way.  With a shorter track for the Preakness, he managed to just beat out the Derby winner Animal Kingdom. 

Shackleford would pay out $600 for every $100 bet with a win at the 2011 Belmont Stakes race.  Animal Kingdom would pay close to $300.

When it comes to this year’s Belmont Stakes picks, it really is all about Shackleford vs. Animal Kingdom.  In the 22 times when the Derby winner went up against the Preakness victor, the Preakness champ won 10 of those times, while the Derby champ won only five times.

We have to go with Animal Kingdom here though.  With an extra 1/16-mile (the comprised the Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs track) Animal Kingdom would surely have won by a couple lengths in the Preakness.

Shackleford drawing the number 12 post position is a handicap.  Hence the 6 to 1 long odds. 

All Belmont Stakes betting odds courtesy of Bookmaker.

MASTER OF HOUNDS

+700 (pays $700 for every $100 bet or $70 for every $10 bet)

STAY THIRSTY

+1500

RULER ON ICE

+2200

SANTIVA

+1000

BRILLIANT SPEED

+1000

NEHRO

+350

MONZON

+2700

PRIME CUT

+1700

ANIMAL KINGDOM

+250 (pays $250 for every $100 bet)

MUCHO MACHO MAN

+850

ISN`T HE PERFECT

+2500

SHACKLEFORD

+600 (pays $600 for every $100 bet)

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com