We begged one-time interview subject Jerry O’Connell to offer up his thoughts on the Belmont Stakes. But he said he was busy filming a movie with Beyonce. (This must be it. By day he films a movie with Beyonce and Ali Larter, and probably plays x-box in his trailer with Jay-Z during downtime. Then, he goes home to this. Bastard!) But then his wanderlust for sports blogs and handicapping horse races took over, and after the jump, he reveals his thoughts on the race. Weekend superstar and wrestling connoisseur Patrick Imig will be all over the race tomorrow. O’Connell’s prognostications after the jump, including his tale of woe of having to walk to the airport in Vegas after a losing weekend.

Let’s go through some of the fundamentals of wagering. As horse racing handicapper, we are all gentlemen and proper ladies. We do not call it ‘betting’ or ‘gambling’. We call it ‘wagering’. When wagering, the less of a risk you take, the lower the payout. The GREATER risk you take, the higher the payout. Pretty simple stuff.

In tomorrow’s Belmont Stakes, Big Brown is most likely going to win and capture the Triple Crown. That is an amazing feat and incredible stuff. But it makes us no money.

Did you know horse racing is the only sport professional athletes are allowed to bet on? Wagering is the very foundation of the sport. And that is why it is fun. I am going to suggest that everybody put a bet on Big Brown. If he wins and you had money on him you will be able to gloat for the rest of your life when you see a clip of Big Brown on ESPN Classic. You can tell your son/daughter: ‘Oh Yeah. I had that horse.’ You will have a story and life is about collecting stories.

But that is not risk enough and will only make us 10 cents on the dollar. You can EXACTA BOX Big Brown with this horse: Casino Drive.

First, I like the name Casino Drive and second, this horse has a cool story. They shipped Casino Drive over from Japan where he ran only two monster races (Big Brown has run six races and won all. Not bad). It makes me think that Casino Drive is like the character of ‘Drago’ in Rocky IV, so I am going to bet him with Big Brown.

Make sure you BOX that EXACTA. That means the horses can come in:#1, #5 or #5, #1. It does double your bet, but if Casino Drive nips Big Brown at the wire, you will be depressed for months. Trust me. EXACTA BOX. You can go to www.drf.com to check out the BELMONT RACE CARD for Saturday 6/7. The Belmont Stakes is the 11th race. It will cost you 2.50.

I would stay away from anything more exotic than that (trifectas/top three horses and such). This is a tough race to handicap because you want to see Big Brown win it. It will be historical.

Do not ever bet more than you can afford. I am serious. I once had to walk to McCarren Airport in Las Vegas on the Freeway because I gambled away every cent I had. I maxed out my bank card and my Mom’s bank card and had to hoof it up the 215 Highway, next to speeding trucks. In the end you WILL lose your money. So have a cocktail and EXPECT TO LOSE. If you win, you’re buying.