Belmont Stakes 2012: 3 Horses Worth Keeping an Eye on

All eyes will fall on Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another in the 2012 Belmont Stakes, but he is not the only horse worth watching.

A few other horses enjoyed favorable finishes in their last race, and will threaten I'll Have Another's historic hopes.

Let's take a look at three horses Belmont observers should keep a close eye on.

Union Rags

Union Rags has enjoyed three first-place finishes in his last six races. He also finished seventh in this year's Kentucky Derby.

He entered the Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites. He did not perform up to expectations, but will come back with a vengeance in this year's Belmont Stakes.

Union Rags has the endurance necessary to complete Belmont's 1.5-mile track. He is also fast enough to compete with any horses with quick starts out of the gate.

I'll Have Another will enter Belmont as the unquestioned favorite, but Union Rags' odds may not be far behind.

Optimizer

Optimizer followed up a solid Kentucky Derby performance with a sixth-place finish at the Preakness.

His Kentucky Derby showing, and subsequent Preakness finish, shows his ability to run various lengths. Optimizer fared well on the Kentucky Derby's track, and followed up that performance with a solid showing on Pimlico's ultra-short track.

I'll Have Another needs to be wary of Optimizer. He is a solid horse with proven results in the previous Triple Crown races.

He is one of the few horses participating in all three Triple Crown events. That experience alone makes him a viable threat to upset I'll Have Another's Triple Crown aspirations.

Dullahan

Dullahan has not finished lower than third in his three races this year. His third-place finish in the 2012 Kentucky Derby is his lowest, but most respected finish this year.

He is considered the top contender to I'll Have Another in this year's Belmont. He is a strong horse with a strong pedigree, and he has proven himself on racing's largest stages.

Dullahan may not upset I'll Have Another in this year's Belmont but he is certainly a threat. He will be a popular name up until the gates open.

Obviously, I'll Have Another is the fan favorite entering this year's Belmont Stakes. But Dullahan, and the others, should not be overlooked heading into this year's ultimate Triple Crown race.