Big crowds expected at local books

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, June 6, 1997 | 5:47 a.m.

Local race books are anticipating packed houses when Silver Charm makes his bid to win the Triple Crown in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

Silver Charm is listed as the 6-5 favorite to become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont since 1978.

"I'd anticipate the handle to be up because of that fact," said Chuck Esposito, assistant director at the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook.

"Normally we have big crowds for the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but for the Belmont, it is toned down a bit. But with Silver Charm this year, it should be a packed house."

The smaller field -- only seven horses are entered, and Touch Gold and Wild Rush are coupled as an entry -- is likely to hurt the handle.

"The Belmont always seems to have the least number of horses of the Triple Crown races," said Phil Gelardi, race book supervisor at the Stardust. "That takes something out of the race."

Silver Charm's closest competition is expected to come from Free House, who challenged down the stretch in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Free House is a 5-2 choice.

"Free House definitely should be there. It could be one of the close Alydar-Affirmed type races."

The Touch Gold-Wild Rush entry is 2-1, Crypto Star is 6-1, Mr. Energizer is 30-1 and Irish Silence is 50-1.