Belmont Stakes 2014 Odds & Drawing: Victor Espinoza, California Chrome Look to Win First Triple Crown Since 1978
It's an accomplishment unlike any other in horse racing. It's so rare an achievement, we haven't seen it happen in 36 years. It's occurred less than half the amount of times as a Major League Baseball perfect game.
The Triple Crown.
The last time a Triple Crown took place was in 1978, when Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen, did so. This year, Mexican jockey Victor Espinoza is looking to end the drought. Espinoza recently won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes with California Chrome easily outrunning the field. In both of those races, California Chrome was the odds on favorite. Amazingly, Espinoza and Chrome are a perfect 6 for 6 when they are paired up together.
Horse racing has become more and more popular in the Latin American community and success has never been higher at the biggest stages. Since 1999, seven different Latin American jockeys have won eight Belmont Stakes titles. Peruvian Edgar Prado won the Belmont in 2002 and 2004. Other recent champions include; Jose Santos of Chile, John Velazquez of Puerto Rico, Jose Valvida of Peru, Alan Garcia of Peru, and Fernando Jara of Panama.
Although Latinos have been extremely successful overall in horse racing, never before has a Latin American-born jockey won the exclusive Triple Crown. The only international born jockeys to win the triple crown are English jockey Johnny Longden in 1943 and French jockey Jean Cruguet in 1977.
Espinoza has had a great career, however he has never won the Belmont Stakes.
Espinoza has won the prestigious Kentucky Derby twice and has won the Preakness Stakes twice as well, both in the same year, 2002 and 2014. Back in 2002, Espinoza had won the first two legs with War Emblem and had a chance at the Triple Crown, but finished eighth overall.
This year, California Chrome is listed as a 3-5 favorite, which is yet again the odds on favorite to win it all. He will be starting from the No. 2 post position. Historically, the lower the post position, the greater the chance to win because of less running. Eleven different winners have won out of the No. 2 post, making it the third highest successful starting post.
The 2014 Belmont Stakes is scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 7 with coverage beginning at 4:30 on NBC. The race will be held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the three legs spanning one and a half miles in length.
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