Belmont Stakes Odds: Breaking Down Biggest Threats to I'll Have Another

The Belmont Stakes is going to be another difficult race for I’ll Have Another.

The winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes had to pull out a courageous late charge to emerge as the victor in both races. 

With a few talented thoroughbreds at Belmont, similar heroics will be necessary if Doug O’Neill’s horse is to become the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years.

Here are three horses that I’ll Have Another will have to beat out down the stretch on June 9.

Dullahan: 5-1 Odds

Dullahan is the biggest threat to I’ll Have Another after finishing third at Churchill Downs.

According to Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News, trainer Dale Romans wanted Dullahan to run in the Preakness, but owner Jerry Crawford convinced him it wasn’t the right move.

Now, their horse is rested and ready to hit its stride in New York.

The extra two weeks of rest that Dullahan will have heading into Belmont may allow the colt to hold off a late charge from I’ll Have Another.

Union Rags: 6-1 Odds 

This is another thoroughbred that will have had five weeks of rest when it comes out of the gates at Belmont Park.

That being said, Union Rags was far less impressive at the Derby, finishing seventh.

However, as Richard Rosenblatt of The Kansas City Star notes, Union Rags won the Champagne Stakes—which is held at Belmont—as a two-year-old.

This is one of the most talented colts in the field who also knows the track well. It will be right there at the finish with I’ll Have Another. 

Paynter: 12-1 Odds

Anytime Bob Baffert trains a horse, it has a chance to win.

Baffert’s more publicized horse, Bodemeister, will sit out the Belmont after getting run down by I’ll Have Another in the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

Exercise rider Simon Harris has been pleased with Paynter’s preparation leading up to the race (via David Grening of the Daily Racing Form):

"

He’s just a little bit lazy, I was a length or so behind [Brigand], I just had to shake him up to go get him. Once I did that, he responded right away. Not only did he go get him, he went right by him. I’m really happy with the work. 

"

While Paynter is not as much of a threat as Dullahan and Union Rags, it still has plenty of potential and will put I’ll Have Another’s chance to make history in danger.