Belmont Stakes Draw 2012: Post Positions, Field and Race Preview

We are getting closer than ever to the 2012 Belmont Stakes, with the event taking place on June 9. The post position draw just took place, and speculation on how the race will play out can now begin in earnest.

Street Life earned the coveted No. 1 post—which has produced 23 winners since 1905, at least 10 more than every other position—and he will certainly have a chance to contend. His odds to win have improved dramatically and will likely continue to increase as Saturday draws nearer.

I’ll Have Another drew the No. 11 stall, which will definitely help his quest to finish off the Triple Crown. He is great at breaking late and has plenty of room to work his way to the front of the pack during the 1.5-mile race.

Let’s take a look at which position each horse in Saturday’s race will start at and make some predictions on the outcome of this potentially historic Triple Crown event.

2012 Belmont Stakes Post Positions, Field and Odds

Odds courtesy of Belmont Stakes Twitter feed.

Post Position	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Morning Line
No. 1	Street Life	C. Brown	J. Lezcano	12-1
No. 2	Unstoppable U	K. McPeek	J. Alvarado	30-1
No. 3	Union Rags	M. Matz	J. Velazquez	6-1
No. 4	Atigun	K. McPeek	J. Leparoux	30-1
No. 5	Dullahan	D. Romans	J. Castellano	5-1
No. 6	Ravelo's Boy	M. Azpurua	A. Solis	50-1
No. 7	Five Sixteen	D. Schettino	R. Napravnik	50-1
No. 8	Guyana Star Dweej	D. Shivmangal	undecided	50-1
No. 9	Paynter	B. Baffert	M. Smith	8-1
No. 10	Optimizer	D. Lukas	C. Nakatani	20-1
No. 11	I'll Have Another	D. O'Neill	M. Gutierrez	4-5
No. 12	My Adonis	K. Breen	R. Dominguez	20-1

2012 Belmont Stakes Prediction

Win: Dullahan

Place: I’ll Have Another

Show: Street Life

Fourth: Unstoppable U

This is going to be an epic race that will be thrilling from wire to wire. Dullahan has the chops to hang with I’ll Have Another, enough stamina to eventually pass him and the heart to maintain the lead.

It’s going to be a heartbreaking conclusion for I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown bid. After spoiling Bodemeister’s near wins at the Preakness and Kentucky Derby, he will finally know what it feels like to finish second.

Street Life and Unstoppable U will be near the front of the pack but not in direct competition for first place. The battle for Belmont Stakes supremacy will be fought between Dullahan and the Triple Crown hopeful.