Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom has been made 2-1 favourite for the Belmont Stakes, with Preakness Stakes champion Shackleford the third choice.
A field of 12 three-year-olds was entered on Wednesday and, in a slight surprise, oddsmaker Eric Donovan went with Derby runner-up Nehro as the second choice at 4-1.
Shackleford is 9-2 for the first showdown between Derby and Preakness winners since 2005.
Animal Kingdom, to be ridden by John Velazquez, has drawn barrier nine which has produced only four Belmont winners since 1905.
The colt, trained by Graham Motion, is trying to become the 12th to complete a Derby-Belmont double. The last to succeed was Thunder Gulch in 1995.
“It doesn’t change anything for us,” Motion said of the barrier draw.
Shackleford, with jockey Jesus Castanon aboard, will try to become the first Belmont winner out of the 12 post.
The colt, trained by Dale Romans, is also attempting to become the 22nd Preakness-Belmont winner.
“It’s going to make Dale have to commit a little bit,” Motion said, a reference to whether Shackleford would go right for the lead from the start.
“I don’t think he’s going to have a lot of choice. From my perspective, it’s not going to change anything.”
Nehro, with Corey Nakatani riding, has finished second at his past three starts. The colt has drawn barrier six.
At 2400 metres, the Belmont is the longest and most gruelling of the Triple Crown races.
Barrier position usually wasn’t considered as vital as in the Derby and Preakness, but Motion believed it was significant.
“It’s not a very long run to the first turn, so I do think it’s important,” he said.
“I’m glad I’m not hung out there (like Shackleford).”
For the first time, the first seven finishers from the Derby will be running in the Belmont.
AP AAP TURF
