Belmont Stakes Picks and Longshots

With the final leg of the Triple Crown just one day away, Bodog's resident expert Steve Davidowitz offers his insight. (AP Images)"]

Everyone has the standard Belmont Stakes odds: yeah, yeah, yeah, we know Big Brown, running from post position one, is the favorite. However, if you're looking for a little expert advice, Steve Davidowitz has published two highly acclaimed books on Thoroughbred racing and is a regular contributor to Daily Racing Form's Simulcast Weekly and DRF Plus. His columns appear in Bodog Racebook each week. Here's what he has to say:

The Top Contenders: Big Brown, dominating winner of the Derby and Preakness, bids for a rare Triple Crown sweep; Casino Drive, kin to two Belmont stakes winners, won the Peter Pan over this track; Denis of Cork and Tale of Ekati; Macho Again and Icabad Crane ran OK against Big Brown; Anak Nakal, a G2 winner, was seventh in the Derby; Ready's Echo has improving form.

How the Race Will be Run: Because of the unusual distance, the Belmont is often run strangely, but Tale of Ekati and Da' Tara have sufficient speed to set the pace while Big Brown and Casino Drive also figure to be in the first flight. Denis of Cork leads a long list of potential stretch running types.

My Belmont Stakes Picks to Win:

• Big Brown, a strong colt with multiple gears, dominated the Derby and Preakness. Yet much training skill was needed to get him through a cracked hoof for this 12-furlong race. Earned benefit of doubt with good workout on Tuesday.
• Denis of Cork was third in the Derby despite missing some important preparation. Strong Churchill workouts for this; upset threat.
• Casino Drive's Peter Pan win in just his second career start was better than all but very few horses that Big Brown already has beaten.

Belmont Stakes Longshot: Tale of Ekati has good overall speed and showed gameness winning the Wood Memorial in April before finishing fourth in the Derby despite getting shuffled back early. Should the favorite fail to reproduce his top form, the door will open for many possible outcomes. Go Big Brown!

You have just one day left to get your Belmont Stakes betting in the Bodog Racebook.