Cloud Computing and Always Dreaming Skipping Belmont

Some big news has come to light for all of you horse racing betting fans out there. The winner of the Kentucky Derby, Always Dreaming, and the winner of the Preakness Stakes, Cloud Computing, have both been announced to be skipping the Belmont Stakes, which is the final leg of the Triple Crown. The question now remains, what horses are available for wager at the Belmont?

Cloud Computing’s trainer, Chad Brown, announced the decision to hold the horse out of the Belmont, which was expected as Brown typically likes to give his horses a break of longer than two weeks before their next run. An announcement as to when Cloud Computing will run next is expected soon. Brown does have another horse in the running named Twisted Tom, who he had to pay $75,000 to get him in the race because he hadn’t been nominated for the Triple Crown series.

Always Dreaming had a disappointing finish to the Preakness Stakes after taking home the Kentucky Derby crown in early May. After a solid start that saw Always Dreaming and Classic Empire lead for about the first three-fourths of the race, the 3-year-old colt ran out of gas at the final turn and ended up finishing eighth, which was the worst finish of his career.

Todd Pletcher, Always Dreaming’s trainer, typically likes longer breaks between races for his horses and although he did make an exception for Always Dreaming by allowing him to race in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, he feels the horse needs more rest. He told the Daily Racing Form that they have their sights set on several other races down the road including the Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 29 or the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on July 30.

This is the first time since 2010 that both the Derby and Preakness winner will skip the Belmont. The Belmont field is limited to 16 horses and with perhaps the two favorites out of the race, betting on the Belmont field has become pretty wide open.

LegalHorseBettingSites.com believes that Classic Empire is now the overwhelming favorite after a solid showing at the Preakness (finished second) and a good run on the muddy track at Churchill Downs (finished fourth). Trainer Mark Casse said after the Preakness that Classic Empire “was a better horse yesterday than he was two weeks ago for the Kentucky Derby," and he feels that will be the case at the Belmont as well.

Some other confirmed entrants are Japan-based Epicharis, J Boys Echo, Lookin At Lee, Senior Investment, Tapwrit and True Timber. Some other horses that are being considered are Irap, Meantime, and Multiplier. The Belmont will be run on June 10th in Elmont, New York. The track is a mile and a half and is the longest of the trio of events.