Belmont Stakes 2011 Odds: Animal Kingdom, Nehro Among Favorites

The 2011 Belmont Stakes will run on Saturday, June 11 with a post time of 6:30 p.m. ET and the race will be aired on NBC.

Current odds are beginning to trickle in for the race and some of most notable contenders running are also among the early favorites.

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is the early favorite at 2-1. Unlike the Derby where he was 20-1, he won't be able to sneak up on anyone this time.

The showdown everyone is waiting for is between Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford (9-2). If either of these horses wins the Stakes, expect it to be named Horse of the Year.

Don't count out Nehro (7-2). Nehro is set up to win a race like this. With speed and stamina, Nehro seems to have the best combination of the vitals needed.

Master of Hounds and Mucho Macho Man both clock in at 8-1 odds right now. Expect both to be in contention and among the top six horses on the day.

While you wait for the Belmont Stakes,look back on our 2011 Preakness StoryStream to get up to speed To look back at the Derby, check out SB Nation's 2011 Kentucky Derby StoryStream. Also, our horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come has two must-read resources for Belmont fans: A Beginner's Guide To Following Horse Racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.