Belmont Stakes 2012 Post Positions: Breaking Down Best Possible Positions
I’ll Have Another is in trouble.
The Triple Crown hopeful is one win away from becoming the first horse since 1978 to complete the incredible feat, but will have to do so with some daunting history going against him.
The official pole positions have been announced, and I’ll Have Another will begin in the 11th position. Since 1905, only two horses have won from that post.
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Yikes.
While not every field has had 11 or more horses, it’s still a number that has to make you think twice before betting on his 6-4 odds.
While I’ll Have Another didn’t land a favorable spot, the following three horses are in much better shape.
No. 1 Post Position: Street Life (12-1)
Seriously consider a wager on Street Life.
Twenty-three of the last 106 winners at the Belmont have come from this position, the most of any spot. The next highest win total at any one position is 14.
Street Life is an inexperienced colt, but enters the race winning two of his last five events and has some of the best pure speed in the entire field. As long as he doesn't get off to a poor start and get stuck on the rail, Street Life will be one of the first horses down the final stretch.
No. 3 Post Position: Union Rags (6-1)
Quite possibly the biggest competition to I’ll Have Another, Union Rags will start in the No. 3 position, which has seen 14 wins at the Belmont.
He can avoid getting stuck on the rail (which is what doomed him at the Kentucky Derby), yet is still close enough to the side to avoid heavy traffic. For a colt with closing speed like Union Rags, this is an unbelievably favorable position.
No. 5 Post Position: No. 5 Dullahan (5-1)
Another post position that has produced 14 wins; this is a sound landing spot for the rested colt.
After skipping the Preakness, Dullahan should shoot out to the early lead and set the pace with this position.
The only question is if he can hold it for the entire 1.5 mile track.
Belmont Stakes Post Positions
Courtesy of chicagotribune.com
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey |
| 1 | Street Life | Jose Lezcano |
| 2 | Unstoppable U | Junior Alvarado |
| 3 | Union Rags | John Velazquez |
| 4 | Atigun | Julien Leparoux |
| 5 | Dullahan | Javier Castellano |
| 6 | Ravelo's Boy | Alex Solis |
| 7 | Five Sixteen | Rosie Napravnik |
| 8 | Guyana Star Dweej | Kent Desormeaux |
| 9 | Paynter | Mike Smith |
| 10 | Optimizer | Corey Nakatani |
| 11 | I'll Have Another | Mario Gutierrez |
| 12 | My Adonis | Ramon Dominguez |
Odds according to Sportsbook.com
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