Belmont Stakes Predictions: Weak Field Won't Keep I'll Have Another from History

I’ll Have Another might not be competing against a field full of proven winners when he takes to the starting gate on June 9 at Belmont, but it will not lessen the achievement of winning the Triple Crown, should the horse accomplish that epic feat.

There are 12 horses hoping to enter the race in Elmont, New York, and 11 of them are looking to spoil I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown bid.

Judy Shaw of ABC 5 in Cleveland believes these horses could be what the field ends up being comprised of:

Alpha, Atigun, Dullahan, Five Sixteen, Guyana Star Dweej, I'll Have Another, Optimizer, Paynter, Street Life, Union Rags and Unstoppable U.

Some of these may be familiar to casual horse racing fans, as they have ran in either the Kentucky Derby (Union Rags, Alpha, Dullahan and Optimizer) or Preakness (Optimizer).

Bodemeister is noticeably missing, which is a shame because he has been the only horse to even give I’ll Have Another a run for his money. In fact, it appeared as if Bodemeister was going to win both Triple Crown races before I’ll Have Another snuck up and stole them.

Many believe that the absence of Bodemeister will cheapen the Triple Crown if I’ll Have Another finishes in first at Belmont.

That simply isn’t the case, as all the other horses are fine competitors that have a real chance at winning. They are mostly well-rested and properly prepared for the event.

Winning the first Triple Crown since 1978 will be the biggest accomplishment in sports this year and it will not matter—except to the most bitter of Bodemeister fans—that the field at the 2012 Belmont Stakes was not thought to be exceptional.