Final preparations for Test of Champions

Horseracing Betting Lines

06/04/2010 - Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The day before the running of the 142nd Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, several of the 12 horses entered in the race had final preparations for the contest.

Ice Box and Fly Down, both trained by Nick Zito, went to the track to become familiar with the starting gate and then galloped on the 1 1/2-mile oval.

"Obviously, Ice Box has a great kick," Zito said about the Kentucky Derby runner-up. "I don't want to do anything to compromise his style of running. I've seen that before, changing styles, and it never works. Never, never, never. I hope he gets in position where he can run his race; that's all we can hope for. And, basically, he and Fly Down are the same type of horse.

"I guess everyone is going to pay attention to First Dude. He's got a good post (11) because he'll probably try and gallop out there. But I wouldn't change my horses' styles. I just hope my horses run the same way they have been."

Trainer Dale Romans had First Dude gallop around Belmont Park Friday morning. The Preakness runner-up is the 7-2 second choice in the program behind Ice Box.

"We're definitely going to be on, or close, to the lead," Romans said. "If someone wants to get out of their game and set him down inside of us, we'll let him go and sit right off.

"This horse doesn't have to be on the lead. If they let him get three-quarters in 1:14 like Seattle Slew, he'll be tough to catch. I don't think there's anyone in there that wants to sacrifice themselves and get out of their game and go chase him."

Stay Put, 20-1 in the morning-line, took to the track for trainer Steve Margolis. The chestnut colt galloped once around Belmont Park on Friday.

"Everything went well this morning," Margolis noted, "and we're excited and looking forward to it very much. We haven't plotted out the strategy, and we'll see what the weather looks like and figure out what we want to do."

Also taking a gallop around Belmont Park was Lone Star Derby winner Game On Dude.

"He's a very laid-back horse," trainer Bob Baffert indicated about the gelding. "He's got a good mind. He's very plain. But he's matured since I've had him, and, he gets over this track really well. It only took him one time around to get used to it."

The updated weather forecast for the Belmont Stakes calls for 50 percent chance of rain with variable clouds and scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Post-time temperature around 85 and winds Southwest at 10 to 20 m.p.h.

Post-time for the race is set for 6:32 p.m. (et).

Wwwthespinroom Horseracing Betting News

<< Siem and Dodt share Wales Open lead
Newport, Wales (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Germany's Marcel Siem shot a four-under 67 and Australia's Andrew Dodt had a one-under 70 to share the second-round lead Friday at the Wales Open. The duo finished 36 holes on the Celtic Manor course a

<< Essien inks new Chelsea contract
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chelsea enforcer Michael Essien has been handed a new contract that will keep him at the Premier League champions until the end of the 2014-15 campaign. The news will come as a boost to the Ghana interna

<< Rays activate catcher Shoppach
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated catcher Kelly Shoppach from the 15-day disabled list. Shoppach had been sidelined since April 11, undergoing surgery April 19 to repair the meniscus in his right knee

<< Back sidelines Shockey from start of minicamp
METAIRIE, La. (AP) -Saints coach Sean Payton says Jeremy Shockey unexpectedly sat out the first practice of minicamp because of a recent onset of back spasms.Payton says Shockey's absence from practice had nothing to do with the star tight end's hos

<< Mass. gov raising funds with Lakers' Magic Johnson
BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Gov. Deval (deh-VAL') Patrick is taking advantage of the NBA Finals being played in Boston to hold a re-election campaign fundraiser featuring Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson.The hoops legend and

Tallon's team rolls on without him >>
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Dale Tallon is the architect of this version of the Chicago Blackhawks that has the best chance of ending the NHL's longest current Stanley Cup championship drought.Only Tallon isn't part of the club anymore. After making most of

Mets disable Castillo, designate Matthews >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets have placed second baseman Luis Castillo on the disabled list, retroactive to June 2, with a bruised right heel. Castillo underwent an MRI Thursday which was negative. He apparently s

Union, Fire both in search of third win >>
Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between the Philadelphia Union and the Chicago Fire will be a match between two-win clubs hoping to get on track. The Fire (2-3-4) were one of the favorites in th

NL East: Strasburg debut coming at right time for Nationals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everyone who follows baseball knew that Stephen Strasburg's 2010 debut for the Washington Nationals was a matter of when, not if. Now we all know the date -- Tuesday, June 8 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates -- and it couldn't

World Cup: Breaking down Group H >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Spain captured the Euro 2008 title to end a 44-year drought in major competitions, and enters the 2010 World Cup as one of the favorites alongside Brazil. Spain's starting 11 is easily the best in the Worl

Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.