Animal Kingdom, the Kentucky Derby winner, drew post 9, and Shackleford, the Preakness Stakes winner, landed the outside post when a field of 12 was entered on Wednesday for the 143rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.
Animal Kingdom is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line of Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form's national handicapper. Eric Donovan, the linemaker for Belmont Park, has Animal Kingdom at 2-1.
Of the 12 runners, eight ran in the Kentucky Derby, including the first seven finishers. This marks the first time ever that the top seven finishers in the Derby have competed in the Belmont.
Trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal entered just Isn't He Perfect. He had also been considering running Harlan's Hello.
BELMONT STAKES: Contender profiles, Watchmaker's odds »
The Belmont field, from the rail out, is:
1. Master of Hounds, Garrett Gomez, 10-1
2. Stay Thirsty, Javier Castellano, 20-1
3. Ruler On Ice, Jose Valdivia Jr., 20-1
4. Santiva, Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1
5. Brilliant Speed, Joel Rosario, 15-1
6. Nehro, Corey Nakatani, 4-1
7. Monzon, Jose Lezcano, 30-1
8. Prime Cut, Edgar Prado, 15-1
9. Animal Kingdom, John Velazquez, 2-1
10. Mucho Macho Man, Ramon Dominguez, 10-1
11. Isn't He Perfect, Rajiv Maragh, 30-1
12. Shackleford, Jesus Castanon, 9-2