There are two other horses listed with single-digit odds in the morning line, both of which ran respectably in the Derby before skipping the Preakness.
More: American Pharoah’s odds adjusted in Vegas | Owner sued again
Frosted finished fourth in the Derby and is the 5-to-1 second choice in the Belmont.
Materiality, who finished sixth after a troubled trip at Churchill Downs, is next at 6-to-1 odds. The colt is one of two Belmont entries from trainer Todd Pletcher.
While the impact of post position isn’t all that significant in a mile-and-a-half race, American Pharoah’s trainer and jockey are both pleased with their horse’s draw for the Belmont.
“I don’t think there’s really a bad post position (for the race), but I’ve always liked the 5,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “It’s a number I’ve always done well with.”
Added jockey Victor Espinoza, “I am very happy with the draw. Number 5 is a pretty good number.”
American Pharoah’s ability to get the mile-and-a-half distance at the end of his gruelling Triple Crown campaign is the far bigger concern.
Espinoza hopes ‘3’ is another lucky number for him on Saturday. He’s come up short at the Belmont with Triple Crown hopefuls twice – aboard California Chrome last year and in 2002 with War Emblem, another Baffert trainee.
“I’m feeling lucky this year – third time’s a charm, right Bob,” smiled Espinoza.
Here is the field for the 2015 Belmont Stakes.
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