--I wrote a Saturday column about some of the proposition bets being offered on the Belmont. Here's the full list from Bodoglife.com:
Will Big Brown win the Triple Crown?
Yes -300
No +220
Will Big Brown race again after the Belmont Stakes?
Yes +275
No -400
Will the official TV rating of the 2008 Belmont Stakes broadcast on ABC exceed the 13 share rating in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win Triple Crown?
Yes -200
No +150
What will Big Brown's margin of victory in the Belmont Stakes be?
1 - 5 Lengths 1/5
6 - 10 Lengths 7/2
Over 10 Lengths 20/1
Who will jockey Kent Desormeaux thank first upon being interviewed after the 2008 Belmont Stakes?
God/Jesus ` 10/1
Horse - Big Brown 3/1
Family or Family Member 6/5
Owner - IEAH Stables or partnership member 8/1
Trainer - Rick Dutrow 9/2
Fans/General Public 5/1
Will Big Brown win the Belmont Stakes going wire to wire?
Yes +450
No -750
Will Big Brown take the lead in the Belmont Stakes and lose it?
Yes +150
No -200
Will jockey Kent Desormeaux whip Big Brown between the 1/8th pole and the finish line of the Belmont Stakes?
Yes -350
No +250
Will a member of the Clinton Family (Bill, Hilary or Chelsea) attend the 2008 Belmont Stakes?
Yes -120
No -120
Will the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, attend the 2008 Belmont Stakes?
Yes +150
No -200
Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first quarter mile time of the Belmont Stakes? (According to Equibase results chart)
1st or 2nd place 1/1
3rd through 5th place 5/7
6th place or higher 14/1
Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first half mile time of the Belmont Stakes? (According to Equibase results chart)
1st or 2nd place 1/1
3rd through 5th place 5/7
6th place or higher 14/1
Will Big Brown's winning time in 2008 Belmont Stakes be faster than that of Affirmed - 2:26 4/5. in 1978?
Yes +150
No -200
Will Belmont Park attendance for the 2008 Belmont Stakes exceed that of 120,319 in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?
Yes -275
No +200
Will the total all sources handle for the Belmont Stakes exceed the record $114,887,994 wagered in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?
Yes EVEN
No -140
Which horse will win by more lengths, Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes or Curlin in the Stephen Foster Handicap June 14th?
Big Brown in Belmont Stakes EVEN
Curlin in Stephen Foster -140
Will Big Brown remain undefeated in 2008?
Yes -250
No +180
Odds to win the Belmont Stakes
Big Brown 1/3
Casino Drive 7/2
Denis of Cork 10/1
Tale of Ekati 20/1
Behindatthebar 25/1
Anak Nakal 40/1
Macho Again 40/1
Readys Image 50/1
Icabad Crane 50/1
Mint Lane 50/1
Spark Candle 50/1
Tomcito 50/1
Odds to win the Belmont Stakes WITHOUT Big Brown
(If Big Brown wins and your horse is 2nd - you win. If your horse wins - you win.)
Casino Drive 6/5
Denis Of Cork 9/2
Tale Of Ekati 15/2
Behindatthebar 8/1
Anak Nakal 12/1
Macho Again 12/1
Readys Image 16/1
Icabad Crane 16/1
Mint Lane 16/1
Spark Candle 16/1
Tomcito 16/1
--Maybe everyone else already realized this but it just occurred to me: The three favorites for the Belmont Stakes have made a combined total of 12 career starts -- 5 for Big Brown, 2 for Casino Drive and 5 for Denis Cork.
