To win the Triple Crown a horse has to win the Kentucky Derby, win the Preakness two weeks later and the win in Belmont betting three weeks later. It is not an easy task and only 11 horses in history have pulled off the feat. It sure is exciting though when Belmont Stakes odds reflect a possible Triple Crown.
Belmont betting history has shown that some of the lowest priced favorites in Triple Crown races have come from the Belmont. Usually if a horse has won the Derby and the Preakness they will be heavily favored in Belmont Stakes odds. Recently that favored status has not meant anything with many horses failing to win the Triple Crown in Belmont betting. In early Belmont betting history the favorites won a lot of the time. In fact, from 1900 through 1932 there was not one huge upset. All of the winners won at less than 10-1. A total of 19 favorites won in Belmont betting during that time. Many of those favorites in Belmont betting were odds-on including Man O’ War in 1920 who paid the minimum of $2.10 to win. Early Belmont betting shows that six times Belmont actually cancelled show wagering because of huge favorites. It happened in 1941 when Whirlaway won, 1943 when Count Fleet won, 1953 when Native Dancer won, 1957 when Gallant Man won, 1973 with Secretariat and 1978 with Affirmed. In 1943 they also cancelled place wagering.
In Belmont betting history the longshots haven’t done very well even though recent history shows they have done okay. Only 13 times since 1933 has the Belmont Stakes odds winner gone off at double-digits or higher. Of those 13 times though, it has happened five times in the past 15 years with Colonial Affair going off at Belmont betting odds of 13-1 in 1993, Lemon Drop Kid at 29-1 in 1999, Commendable at 18-1 in 2000 Belmont betting odds, Sarava at 70-1 in 2002 Belmont Stakes odds and Birdstone at 36-1 in 2004.