Belmont Stakes 2012: Date, Race Start Time, Weather Updates and More

The "Test of Champions" is all that stands between I'll Have Another and horse racing immortality. The three-year-old chestnut colt from Kentucky has wowed twice thus far with come-from-behind victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and is now the overwhelming favorite to get to the wire first at Belmont.

The brutal 1.5-mile run is an opponent all its own, and the with 2012 field at Belmont Park expected to be light on elite challengers the distance itself will be I'll Have Another's greatest foe.

It has been 33 years since Affirmed last captured the Triple Crown, and only 11 other horses since then have had a chance to win all three races.

We didn't expect it from I'll Have Another—he won the "Run for the Roses" from a post that had never won before—but we certainly won't complain now that we're on the doorstep of history.

But he's still a mile-and-a-half out, and there is no telling what will happen on race day.

When: Saturday, June 9

Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York

Watch: NBC

Estimated Post Time: 6:40 p.m. ET

Weather (according to Weather.com): Conditions will be dry, with pleasant temperatures, just in time for race day. However, there is a chance of rain in the days leading up to the race.

Post Positions

The post position draw will be held Wednesday, June 6 from 11:00-11:30 a.m. ET and will be streamed live from the official Belmont Stakes website.

Race Day TV Schedule

9-Jun	11:35am/7:35am	HRTV/TVG	Belmont Stakes Undercard
9-Jun	3:00pm/12:00pm	NBCSN	Belmont Stakes Undercard
9-Jun	4:30pm/1:30pm	NBC	Belmont Stakes
9-Jun	7:00pm/4:00pm	NBCSN	Belmont Stakes Post-Race Show

2012 Possible Belmont Stakes Starters

*Via Official Belmont Website (Odds Courtesy of Sportsbook.com)

Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
Atigun	K. McPeek	J. Leparoux	30-1
Dullahan	D. Romans	J. Castellano	6-1
Five Sixteen	D. Schettino	R. Napravnik	50-1
Guyana Star Dweej	D. Shivmangal	undecided	60-1
I'll Have Another	D. O'Neill	M. Gutierrez	6-5
Optimizer	D. Lukas	C. Nakatani	30-1
Paynter	B. Baffert	M. Smith	10-1
Ravelo's Boy	M. Azpurua	A. Solis	50-1
Street Life	C. Brown	J. Lezcano	15-1
Union Rags	M. Matz	J. Velazquez	5-1
Unstoppable U	K. McPeek	J. Alvarado	30-1