2009 Belmont Stakes Odds - Dunkirk Belmont Betting Favorite

The third choice in 2009 Belmont Stakes odds on Saturday is likely to be Dunkirk. The colt was purchased for $3.7 million dollars in 2007 and was expected to win a lot of premier races. After his performance in the Kentucky Derby (11th place finish) many are wondering if Dunkirk can bounce back in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Dunkirk was actually the second betting choice in the Derby and he is getting respect again in Belmont Stakes betting. His trainer Todd Pletcher still believes in the horse.

"I felt going into the Derby this is a very good horse," Pletcher said. "At the beginning of the race, out of the gate, he stumbled. When he did get to the first turn, he got squeezed back and lost position. I felt he never ran to his capabilities." Pletcher and Dunkirk’s connections skipped the Preakness but they are back for the Belmont. "He is training very well," Pletcher said. "He's put on some weight since the Derby. I stand by the fact he's a very high-quality horse." There are some things to like about Dunkirk in Belmont Stakes odds. Horses that ran in the Derby but skipped the Preakness have won four of the last eight times.

Commendable won in 2000, Empire Maker won in 2003, Birdstone in 2004 and Jazil in 2006. Pletcher won the Belmont two years ago with the filly Rags to Riches. Jockey John Velazquez was aboard Rags to Riches and he will ride Dunkirk on Saturday. "He's probably the right horse, for the right distance, at the right time," Velazquez said. "The distance will help him more than anything else." The extra rest for Dunkirk could be a big key in 2009 Belmont Stakes odds. “I've always felt that five weeks is a good amount of time," said Pletcher, "Even if he had run better in the Derby, we would have really had to think about it before starting in the Preakness Stakes." Dunkirk is definitely a horse to consider. Pletcher has seen his last four horses in the Belmont all finish in the money.