Big Brown having this advantage sure came at the right time eh?

For all ya’ll who didn’t know, Big Brown injured his left front hoof heading to the 140th Belmont Stakes. Yep, just like Tom Brady heading to Super Bowl XLII, the dominant force was wearing a ‘’special boot'’ heading possibly to the biggest event of his career. Luckily for Big Brown, it seems lady luck is smiling at him yet again.

After having the worst possible scenario back at the Kentucky Derby, when Big Brown drew the last and final gate at Churchill Downs, and again coming up with a rather dreadful position at the middle of the Preakness Stakes, this year’s Triple Crown contender finally was lucky enough to draw Gate No.1 for the Belmont Stakes, giving him a clearer shot of winning the Triple Crown title at Belmont Park, with or without the front hoof injury.

You read it people, the odds on favorite to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes just drew rail, the very gate that produced the most Belmont Stakes winners since 1905. After seeing this colt win the Derby from the last post and again winning the Preakness from the middle, drawing the No.1 post is a HUGE advantage for the Triple Crown contender, as if he needs one.

Oddsmakers have proclaimed Big Brown as the early 2-5 favorite to win the Belmont Stakes and capture the 2008 Triple Crown series title. And now that he has drawn rail, expect Big Brown’s stock to grow a little bit more heading for Belmont Park.

As expected, jockey Kent Desormeaux is more than happy to ride from the inside this time because he’ll be in a better position to lead Big Brown to the first Triple Crown title in 30 long years. Oh yeah, he’s as cocky as ever too.

‘’Absolutely, because it’s an easier trip,'’ Kent Desormeaux said. ‘’I would be able to just guide and glide. Now, I’m going to have to jockey for position. He’s so fast away from the gate, though, the race might be over in 40 yards.'’

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., on the other hand, is cockier.

‘’I just can’t see a post position getting him beat,'’ he said. ‘’As long as we break good, I can see us getting a good trip. There is not a lot of speed in the race. If we need our horse early on, he’ll be there for us.'’

Can Big Brown win the 2008 Triple Crown series with a win at the 2008 Belmont Stakes? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Big Brown 1.33

Casino Drive 4.50

Denis Of Cork 11.00

Tale Of Ekati 21.00

Behindatthebar 26.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more horse race betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

2008 Belmont Stakes Big Brown