Belmont Stakes 2012 Field: Late-Charging Horses That Can Spoil Triple Crown Bid

At the 2012 Belmont Stakes, all eyes will understandably be on I'll Have Another and his quest to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. However, he is hardly the only serious contender in a loaded field. 

All told, 12 horses will look to leave their mark on the final leg of the Triple Crown season. The Belmont Stakes requires more stamina thanks to its length—at 12 furlongs, it is the longest of the three Triple Crown races. 

So while you are counting the days until I'll Have Another goes for immortality, here are a few spoilers to pay attention to on race day. 

Union Rags, Post No. 3 (6-1 Odds, Courtesy of Belmont Stakes Twitter Feed)

Union Rags has fallen on hard times since the Kentucky Derby. There was a time when he was being talked about as a Triple Crown candidate, then he finished seventh at Churchill Downs. On top of that, he didn't even run in the Belmont Stakes. 

Yet here he is, with the third-best odds of anyone. Why? Because he has the kind of big body and stamina that it requires to make a push coming down the stretch on a long track like this. 

As long as Union Rags and new jockey John Velazquez don't try to push too hard right out of the gate, he should be in the mix as they hit the final stretch. 

Dullahan, Post No. 5 (5-1)

Like so many others, Dullahan has been riding in I'll Have Another's shadow this Triple Crown season. He finished third at the Kentucky Derby, before it was decided he would not run in the Preakness Stakes. 

Despite the long layoff, trainer Dale Romans has not lost confidence in his horse's ability to win the Belmont. (via New York Daily News)

"

"I think we're the horse to beat," said the 45-year-old trainer. "For him (I'll Have Another) to win the Triple Crown, I think we're the horse to beat."

"

Dullahan reportedly ran four furlongs in practice at just under 46 seconds. If he can hold that pace on Saturday, he will play the role of spoiler. 

Paynter, Post No. 9 (8-1)

It would be foolish to bet against any horse that Bob Baffert trains. His horses have combined to win nine Triple Crown races, including the Belmont in 2001. Playing the role of spoiler is in his blood. 

This will be Paynter's first Triple Crown race of the season, but he has kept in shape in lower-profile events leading up to the Belmont. 

One thing to be mindful of is the reaction the horse has to being on this stage, with more eyes on him than ever. Paynter is an unknown to casual fans, but the fact that he is an 8-1 favorite shows how much respect he commands. 

Follow @adamwells1985