The Belmont Stakes odds regarding Rachel Alexandra racing this Saturday have been determined. The Preakness and Derby Oats winner will not be running in the third crown jewel 141st Belmont Stakes. Now the sports wagering focus turns to jockey Calvin Borel as he tries to do be the first jockey to win the Triple Crown aboard two different horses. He won with Kentucky Derby on Mine That Bird and with Rachel Alexandra he took the Preakness. He decided to get back on Mine That Bird for the Belmont. "Now that the decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes." Borel mentioned.

Mine That Bird is going to be a solid favorite in Belmont Stakes Odds and that might put a little added pressure on Borel. Recent history might not be on Borel’s side either as Belmont Stakes favorites have been a bust recently, including last years’ favorite Big Brown.

Mine That Bird is a big closer but that type of horse rarely wins the Belmont. A horse with tactical speed does far better in Belmont Stakes wagering odds. In the last 30 years, 27 of the 30 winners were within two lengths of the leader at the top of the stretch. That does not bode well for Mine That Bird who has come from the clouds in both the Derby and the Preakness. "If you look at previous Belmonts, the horses closer to the pace tend to win," trainer Chip Woolley said, "People think just because it’s longer it will suit my horse better but history says you need to be closer to the pace so he’s got his work cut out for him. But as far as changing his style, we’re not going to do that. If you change his style he’s not going to finish and I’d rather be finishing than stopping."

Wager on the 2009 Belmont Stakes at SBGGlobal.com.

The key to winning at the Belmont is timing everything just right which is where Borel will come into play. "Not only is getting the timing right key but knowing where you are in the race and how much you have to make up is crucial because the track is so much deeper," Woolley said. "If you push the button too early, you sure can come up empty at the wire.” Not all deep closers have failed either, as in 2006 it was Jazil rallying to win after sitting last early in the race.

Horses to bet Now or Later

We are quickly arriving to the draw for the 2009 Preakness Stakes. Before the odds are assigned, the post positions drawn, and bettors create their Pick 3, Pick 4 and trifecta tickets around and on the race itself, they should take a quick look at the BetUS online racebook and put wagers on the horses they believe are overlays in the racebook at this time.

Bettors could be missing out some good opportunities by not betting a horse to win right now. Let’s see which horse’s horseplayers should bet now or bet later in this Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.

Preakness Stakes:  Bet Now or Bet Later?

1. Rachel Alexandra  Ev - - Without a doubt Rachel Alexandra is a bet later.  She is going off at even money in the racebook and might be listed as an even money favorite once the Preakness odds maker sets the odds but once the gates open on Saturday, Rachel will be at best an 8 to 5 shot.  This is too tough of a Preakness Stakes and a lot of gamblers will notice that on Saturday.  She’s a definite bet later.

2. Mine That Bird +375 - - Like Rachel, this Preakness came up tough for the Kentucky Derby winner.  He has a terrific shot and actually his odds of 3.75 to 1 in the sportsbook are right where they should be, but by the time the gates open this Saturday, I predict that Mine That Bird will be going off at between 4 to 6 to 1.  There are just too many questions surrounding his Derby victory for most horseplayers and he could get lost in the shuffle in this field.  Not only that but the jockey change is going to scare some bettors.  He’s a bet later.

3. Pioneerof The Nile +500 - - He was close to the pace in the Derby, was running on mud and dirt for the first time in his career, and gutted out a second place finish against some other tough horses.  The trip was difficult but he still hung on for second place.  He has also won four graded races this year.  5 to 1 on this guy?  Really?  He should go off close to 3 to 1 or maybe even 5 to 2 in the Preakness.  So, yes, he’s a big, big, bet now.

4. Musket Man +700 - - He should have no shot, right?  But bettors will back him after looking at that running line of 5 victories and 2 thirds out of 7 lifetime races.  He’s as gutsy as they come and could get a garden spot trip in the Preakness.  Still, the lack of respect means that he could go off at higher odds than 7 to 1.  He’s either a bet now or bet later.  It’s too tough to call.

5. Papa Clem +700 - - He swung out wide at the top of the stretch in the Derby, which was the worst part of the track, and went ding-dong with Musekt Man and Pioneerof The Nile.  He, like Pioneerof The Nile, was close to the pace the whole way in the Derby.  He could be the wise guy horse in the Preakness.  So, I’m saying bet now.

6. Friesan Fire +700 - - My gut tells me to bet now, but I’m going to wait and bet later.  He finished 19th in the Derby and I’m hoping that the mom and pop horseplayers notice that and lay off of him.  I think he has a huge shot in the Preakness because the Derby was his first race off of a 7 week lay off.  He can win the Preakness and will be close to a much kinder pace.  I see him outrunning Rachel Alexandra at the top of the stretch and possibly winning going away.  He’s my pick for now and I’m hoping for 10 to 1 on Preakness day.  Friesan Fire is a bet later.

7. General Quarters +1000 - - General Quarters had a terrible Derby.  The trip was awful but there are still questions surrounding his overall ability.  So, he is likely to go off between 15 to 20 to 1 in the Preakness since the race has came up tough.  The truth is that, yes, he won the Bluegrass, but that was on Polytrack and his form has been pretty awful outside of the Bluegrass since transferring to Thomas McCarthy’s barn.  Hey, I like the old guy but I would have preferred to see Quarters stay with Mark Miller.  Oh, well.  He’s a bet later.

8. Big Drama +1600 - - He was DQ’ed in his last, the Grade II Swale stakes, but would be 6 out of his last 6 if not for that.  He’s the speed in this race and there’s no telling how good he could be but Rachel Alexandra is going to get the front running horseplayer’s money while Big Drama will go off at between 20 to 25 to 1 in this.  He could steal this race, so keep that in mind, but his odds should be high on Preakness day.  He’s a bet later.