posted May 28, 2008 at 12:40 EST in Triple Crown Betting Trends

The number one challenger to superstar Big Brown has been labeled, among other things, as the “Japanese horse.” The label isn’t exactly wrong as Casino Drive does hail from Japan. His owner is Japanese. His trainer is Japanese and, even though it hasn’t officially been stated, his jockey will probably be the Japanese rider Yutake Take.

But as far as the horse is concerned, off track betting faithful should know that there’s really nothing Japanese about him at all. He’s pretty much as American as any horse in the 2008 Belmont Stakes. Both his mother and father ran in the United States as did both of his grandfathers. In fact it’s not too much of a stretch to say that, without a doubt, Casino Drive might be the most well-bred American animal to get out of the gate in the Belmont Stakes come June 7th.

This might be a surprise to Big Brown or Belmont Stakes handicapping fans, but on paper there is no doubt that Casino Drive has the blood-lines that shout royalty. That’s not to say that Big Brown is a slouch - - how could he be with a grandfather like Danzig on his father’s side and a grandfather like Nureyev on his mother’s side - - but Big Brown’s pedigree pales in comparison to Casino Drive’s.

The daily racing form doesn’t come into play when studying a horse’s pedigree, it is important to note that the direct influence of both the father and mother is rarely as important as the pedigree lines when betting on the Belmont. No more so is this true then in regards to the 2008 Belmont Stakes favorite, Big Brown. Big Brown’s father is Boundary. Boundary was known as a very good sprinter. It was Boundary’s father, Big Brown’s grandfather, Danzig that was the champion. Not only was Danzig a champion, but he sired a number of champions. Going back further, Big Brown’s great grandfather, Danzig’s father, was the brilliant Northern Dancer.

As good as a pedigree as Big Brown has, Casino Drive’s is better. Casino Drive is the direct son of Mineshaft who won three-grade one races in his four-year old campaign. Casino Drive’s mother is Better Than Honour who dropped both Rags to Riches, who won the 2007 Belmont Stakes, and Jazil, who won the 2006 Belmont Stakes.

That’s not bad, but if we look further down the line we see exactly how well-bred Casino Drive actually is. His grandfather, Mineshaft’s father, is A.P. Indy. A.P. Indy won the Belmont Stakes in 1992. His father, Casino Drive’s great grandfather, is the brilliant Seattle Slew who won the Triple Crown in 1978. His great grandmother who bred with Seattle Slew to produce his grandfather, A.P. Indy, is Weekend Surprise, a daughter of Secretariat.

Casino Drive’s grandmother, on the Mineshaft side, is no slouch either. Her name is Prospector’s Deelite. Her father was non other then the brilliant Mr. Prospector. To say that Casino Drive gets a lot of his talent from his father’s side would be an understatement.

On his mother’s side Casino Drive can be traced back to Big Brown’s grandfather, Northern Dancer, through Deputy Minister and Vice Regent.

There is stamina and speed on both sides of Casino Drive’s pedigree. It makes sense why the horse was capable of squashing his rivals in the Grade II Peter Pan in his first start in the United States after an extended layoff.

Casino Drive, like Big Brown, was bred to be a champion. There is a lot here for horse racing betting enthusiasts and 2008 Belmont Stakes wagering fans to consider. And the only difference is that there is absolutely no doubt about Casino Drive. His champion bloodlines go all the way back on both his mother’s and father’s sides while Big Brown, as well-bred as he is, would probably be turned down at the door to Casino Drive’s country club.

Check the BetUS Locker Room for the latest info on Horse Racing, Big Brown the Triple Crown, Full Track Odds, Past Triple Crown Winners, and the 2008 Belmont Stakes