Victor Espinoza and American Pharoah have paired for a perfect 6-0 record over their six career races together. The duo will be looking to earn the third jewel of the Triple Crown this Saturday afternoon in the Belmont Stakes in New York.
Belmont Stakes betting: American Pharoah Triple Crown odds outlook
American Pharoah and Victor Espinoza hope to complete the Triple Crown with a win as the betting favorite in the Belmont Stakes this Saturday.
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American Pharoah is currently going off at -140 to win the Belmont, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Bettors can take the rest of the field to win the Belmont over American Pharoah at +110.
Since Affirmed won the Triple Crown back in 1978, 13 horses have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, only to fall short in the Belmont Stakes. American Pharoah became the 14th horse since 1978 to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown, and is hoping to end the long drought this Saturday.
The race's long length at 1.5 miles, and the fact that it's the third race in five weeks for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners, make this the toughest jewel of the three to earn.
Materiality entered the Kentucky Derby with an undefeated record in three career starts, but picked up the first loss of his career in that race. Since then, Materiality has been training on the Belmont track, getting comfortable and resting up for the Belmont while American Pharoah was traveling and racing at Pimlico.
Materiality's combination of speed, breeding for distance and fresh legs could make the horse a legitimate contender on the odds to win the Belmont Stakes at 13/2.
Frosted is also expected to be a contender at 6/1 to win the Belmont at the sportsbooks.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin points to Frosted's strong finish in the Kentucky Derby as proof that the horse could hang if it stays closer to the pace this time around, and that will be the strategy in Frosted's camp this time around. The horse is sired by Tapit, who also sired 2014 Belmont Stakes champion Tonalist.
The other horses competing in the Belmont Stakes are Mubtaahij (14/1), Tale of Verve (20/1), Madefromlucky (14/1), Frammento (40/1) and Keen Ice (25/1). Madefromlucky is another Todd Pletcher horse, and has also been training in recent weeks on the Belmont track.
