Belmont Stakes 2012: 3 Posts That Could Produce Surprise Winners

The third and final leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is now only one week away. I'll Have Another, the overwhelming favorite to win the Belmont Stakes, can become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 34 years. 

While it may be the horses that do the work, the post position may greatly help a horse's performance. 

Here are the three posts that could produce surprise winners.

Post 7

Horses in the No. 7 position have won the Belmont Stakes three times in the past five years—an incredible number. Drosselmeyer, Da' Tara, and Rags to Riches have won the Belmont stakes in the No. 7 position, with Da' Tara and Rags to Riches even winning it in back-to-back years. 

The horse in the No. 7 post will be in great position to win next week. 

Post 3

History may repeat itself next week with the horse who is in the No. 3 position. Last year, it was Ruler on Ice who won in the No. 3 position.

With what happened with Da' Tara and Rags to Riches in the No. 7 position, winning back-to-back in the same post position is not impossible. Luck may be on the No. 3 post next week.

Post 5

The race has also seen a good amount of winners from Post 5. While Post 5 has produced five winners from 1970-1991, no horse has won from Post 5 since then. Post 5 is long overdue for a win, and it could happen next week. 

Next week will be exciting, with all the hype around I'll Have Another. Don't be surprised, however, if the winner comes from any of these three posts.