Orb 2013 Belmont Stakes
Kentucky Derby winner Orb remains the favorite heading into Saturday's Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of horse racing. Reuters

The late addition of three-year-old Frac Daddy and Always In a Tiz’s withdrawal hasn’t made any discernible dent in the odds leading up to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

Prior to Wednesday’s gate draw, trainers for Always In a Tiz announced he will instead run in the $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes undercard, according to the New York Daily News. The third stage of the Triple Crown will now have 14 as opposed to 15 horses competing for the first time since 1996.

Frac Daddy drew the No. 1 gate position for the 1.5 mile race, and is now in line for the $1 million purse.

Famed trainer Todd Pletcher has a strong presence at this year's Belmont Stakes, sending out a record five horses for the race. Kentucky Derby runners Revolutionary, Palace Malice and Overanalyze are back, to go along with Midnight Taboo and the filly Unlimited Budget.

Also amongst the field are Kentucky Derby winner and reigning favorite Orb and Preakness victor Oxbow. Orb will start from Gate 5, Oxbow Gate 7, and Revolutionary rounds out the top three from Gate 9.

Earlier this week Orb was cleared to run by trainer Shug McGaughey after strong workouts.

Many felt Orb had a stronger chance to complete the second leg of the Triple Crown at the Preakness if it wasn’t for his start from Gate 1. The best bets still rest on Orb at 3/1 and Revolutionary at 9/2 odds.

Oxbow is right behind at 5/1, followed by Freedom Child and Unlimited Budget at 8/1, and Golden Soul at 10/1. Trained by legend D. Wayne Lukas, Oxbow is three weeks removed his dominate performance at the Preakness where he led wire-to-wire.

Originally amongst the top-five favored, Palace Malice slipped to 15/1 odds.

Latest Betting Odds

Orb 3/1

Revolutionary 9/2

Oxbow 5/1

Freedom Child 8/1

Unlimited Budget 8/1

Golden Soul 10/1

Overanalyze 12/1

Palace Malice 15/1

Will Take Charge 20/1

Incognito 20/1

Vyjack 20/1

Giant Finish 30/1

Midnight Taboo 30/1

Frac Daddy 30/1

Prediction: Orb, making us wonder if he really could have challenged the 35-year Triple Crown drought.