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The odds of a Triple Crown occurring in the year 2009 are lower than they have been in recent memory, according to Gambling911.com research.
"In past years, there has always been a front runner," expressed Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of the Gambling911.com website. "This year there is no clear cut favorite, even though I Want Revenge is the ‘technical' favorite. That doesn't matter because there are horses with odds that come close to that of I Want Revenge."
Most notably, Dunkirk came in with odds of +400 for a payout potential of $400 on every $100 bet at Sportsbook.com. Compare that with the odds on I Want Revenge, which were listed at +300 pretty much across the board.
So what are the odds of a Triple Crown in 2009?
The answer: +600 for a payout potential of $600 on every $100 bet at Sportsbook.com.
"This is a good side bet to be sure," says O'Brien. "But history does suggest this won't happen."
Consider this: When was the last time there was a Triple Crown winner?
The answer to that question: You have to go all the way back to 1978. That's when Affirmed won the Triple Crown and was the 11th thoroughbred to do so. In recent years, oddsmakers would have us believing that there would be a Triple Crown winner with all these so-called "locks".
Interestingly enough, Affirmed was not necessarily a big favorite to win the Kentucky Derby early on either as he had stiff competition in Alydar, who ended up finishing a close second.
"Every year we hope for a Triple Crown winner," said O'Brien. "We've come close and that makes the +600 odds rather enticing."
A $500 bet on a Triple Crown happening in 2009 would pay out $3000 at Sportsbook.com.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
