Stake Your Bet On These Horses at the 143rd Belmont Stakes

Animal Kingdom won this year's Kentucky Derby. Although the colt came up short in the Preakness, losing the chance to win the Triple Crown, he is the 2-1 favorite for today's race. If he does it, he will be the 12th horse to complete a Derby-Belmont sweep. For a safe bet, go with this frontrunner.

Although he won the Preakness, Shackleford is a 9-2 third choice for winning today's race. In order to achieve victory he will have to outrun Animal Kingdom, his rival, whom he beat in the Preakness and almost beat in the Derby before falling back to fourth place. He's done it before, but can he do it again?

This Derby runner-up is the second choice to win Belmont at 4-1 odds. Nehro has finished second in his last three starts, meaning he is a consistent runner and within reach of the gold. This is his chance to pull ahead and leave his bridesmaid status behind.

Mucho Macho Man's hysterical name is not the only thing he has going for him. With 10-1 odds of winning, he comes into Belmont in a relatively strong position, having placed third in the Derby and Sixth in the Preakness. He will be wearing new Polyflex glue-on shoes after losing a shoe in two of his last three races. If he ... hangs on to his accessories, he has a chance for first place.

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The Belmont stakes have Santiva at 15-1, making him a dark horse (literally) contender. But if you are a risk taker, this horse may be the right choice. He placed sixth at the Kentucky Derby, which isn't bad considering he was apparently tired. After a nice, long rest, he may put up a good fight at the Belmont.