The winner in Belmont Stakes betting could be First Dude who finished second in the Preakness Stakes.
The horse has good tactical speed and despite the race being a mile and a half, tactical speed is important. First Dude is likely to be the second or third choice in Belmont Stakes odds.
Belmont Stakes betting for Saturday’s 142nd Belmont Stakes will likely have a field of 11 horses. Kentucky Derby second place finisher Ice Box is going to be favored but First Dude could get a lot of attention because of his running style. He could just get the lead in the Belmont and be long gone. First Dude is trained by Dale Romans who also had Paddy O’Prado in the Kentucky Derby.
First Dude will be the only horse that ran in the Preakness who is coming back in the Belmont. He is one of only four horses to run in two of the three legs of the Triple Crown. No horse will have run in all three. First Dude worked five furlongs in 1:00.88 Saturday morning with exercise rider Tammy Fox. First Dude is the son of Stephen Got Even. He has a win and four seconds from seven starts.
First Dude likes to run close to the pace and that is the style that wins in Belmont Stakes betting. First Dude won back in January at Gulfstream Park as he was running near the front before taking the lead. He nearly did the same thing in his next race but Fly Down ran him down late. That type of race could develop again on Saturday since Fly Down has been known to have closing speed. First Dude was off the pace in the Florida Derby and Blue Grass but he set the pace in the Preakness. He fought with Lookin at Lucky before losing at the end.
Trainer Dale Romans has said that First Dude doesn’t have to be on the lead but with no real speed horses in the Belmont Stakes betting field, he expects his horse to set the pace. When you look at the Belmont Stakes odds you will notice First Dude as one of the main contenders and he may just have the running style to lead this race and hang on for the win.