After a dominant win against older horses in Sunday’s $1 million TVG Pacific Classic, the unbeaten 3-year-old Shared Belief was bet down to 6-1 in Eclipse Awards 2014 Horse of the Year future wager odds listed by William Hill. The California-based gelding had been available at 16-1 in the days leading up to Del Mar’s marquee event.
California Chrome and Palace Malice remain Horse of the Year co-favorites at 5-2. Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome is expected to make his first start since the Belmont Stakes in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 20 at Parx Racing, while Palace Malice is pointing to the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational on Sept. 27 at Belmont Park.
Shared Belief is another reportedly under consideration for the Pennsylvania Derby, where a showdown with California Chrome would have massive Horse of the Year ramifications. As part of the Bolton Challenge involving the Los Alamitos Derby, Pacific Classic and Breeders’ Cup Classic, Shared Belief is eligible for a $1 million cash bonus if he captures the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita Park to complete a sweep of all three races.
Meanwhile, two-time defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan, listed at 15-1, returns from a lengthy layoff necessitated by colic surgery in Saturday’s Bernard Baruch (GII) at Saratoga Race Course. Already two-for-two in 2014, the 7-year-old gelding could still make a case for a third straight Horse of the Year title if he were to “win out” the rest of this season. His campaign will likely include the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland Racecourse on Oct. 4 and the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, with an attempt on dirt in the Clark Handicap (GI) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28 also a possibility.
Others currently listed at 15-1 include: Close Hatches, the top older female in training with three straight Grade I wins; the 3-year-old filly sensation Untapable, preparing for the $1 million Cotillion on Pennsylvania Derby Day after finishing off the board against males in last month’s Haskell Invitational (GI); and last year’s Champion 3-Year-Old Will Take Charge, third in the Whitney (GI) and likely to turn up next in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
V.E. Day, the upset winner of the $1.25 million Travers (GI) on Saturday, is not presently listed by William Hill, suggesting generous odds could be had by the first bettor to inquire.
A complete list of 2014 Horse of the Year odds updated Monday by William Hill can be accessed on Dave Tuley’s “View From Vegas” sports betting website at http://www.viewfromvegas.com/uploads/2014-HOY-William_Hill_8-25.pdf. William Hill operates 100 sports betting locations across Nevada.
Future bet wagering on Horse of the Year will conclude Nov. 7, six days after the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park near Los Angeles.
Horse of the Year will be announced at the 44th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony on January 17, 2015, at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino, located outside Miami in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The official result and voting tabulation for the Horse of the Year future bet will be posted online at ntra.com.