Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Betting Guide to This Year's Race

The grueling one-and-a-half-mile run at Belmont Park, also know as the "Test of Champions", is the only thing standing in the way of I'll Have Another and the historic Triple Crown.

33 years ago, Affirmed won all three of the American Classic races, marking the last time the Triple Crown was achieved, and horse racing has been yearning for another champion ever since.

This is easily the best chance we've had in a number of years and the odds reflect just that. The Derby/Preakness winner is the overwhelming favorite and it would actually be a surprise if he didn't win.

Here's a look at the potential field and how everyone stacks up.

Odds according to Sportsbook.com

Atigun: 40-1

Dullahan: 6-1

Five Sixteen: 60-1

Guyanna Star Dweej: 60-1

I'll Have Another: 6-4

Optimizer: 35-1

Paynter: 10-1

Ravelos Boy: 60-1

Street Life: 18-1

Union Rags: 4-1

Unstoppable U: 35-1

Naturally, any bet with I'll Have Another won't offer much in the way of payout. Come race day, he'll likely go off at even money or possibly even worse.

Fortunately for everyone else, the prices of the other horses should be more favorable. Dullahan and Union Rags, two Kentucky Derby holdovers, are the biggest threats to run with I'll Have Another. Dullahan finished third at the Derby while Union Rags sorely underperformed. Still, he's one of the favorites in this race and that's a testament to his talents.

These two are easily the best bets to throw into any exotics. While they don't offer a great payout at all when paired up with I'll Have Another, they're most likely to run in the money.

The only new horses that appear to worthy of challenging for the money are Paynter and Street Life. Paynter ran fourth well behind I'll Have Another at the Santa Anita Derby, and this is only his second Grade 1 race. Street Life, meanwhile, has a ton of experience on this track.

Although Paynter's number reflects a better chance to win at 10-1, Street Life is a better bet to at least run into the money—plus he offers a much better sweetener at 18-1.

Every other horse in the field is a long shot, and you would be playing with fire trying to find the best one. Optimizer, if he runs, at least has experience against most of these horses and that give him a slight edge at most.

Safest Bets

Win: I'll Have Another

Exacta (Box): I'll Have Another, Dullahan

Trifecta (Box): I'll Have Another, Dullahan, Union Rags

Sleeper Bets

Win: Street Life

Exacta (Box): Street Life, Dullahan

Trifecta (Box): Street Life, Dullahan, Unstoppable U