Belmont Stakes 2012 Post Positions: Long Shots Who Moved into Prime Position

The post positions of the 2012 Belmont Stakes will play a huge factor in who wins the final race of the Triple Crown, with I'll Have Another chasing history.

The 144th Belmont Stakes has more on the line than the last 33 combined, as there has not been a Triple Crown winner in 34 years.

I'll Have Another looks to join the elite group of horses to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the same year, but his No. 11 post position puts him right next to My Adonis on the rail, and could prove costly.

However, there are three horses who drew great positions and are now going to challenge I'll Have Another.

It looked like the Triple Crown was all but his going into post positions, but his poor draw as these three horses moving into prime positions to challenge him for the Belmont Stakes.

Union Rags

Breeder: Phyllis M. Wyeth 

Trainer: Michael R. Matz 

Owner: Chadds Ford Stable

Jockey: John Velazquez

Union Rags was one of the serious contenders in the Kentucky Derby, but since I'll Have Another has gotten so hot, he has faded to the background. However, drawing a great inside post at No. 3 gives Union Rags a great chance to get out early and hang onto the lead.

I'll Have Another's consistent runs and capturing of the media with his back-to-back comeback against Bodemeister have overshadowed the fact that Union Rags should be among the top contenders in the field come Saturday.

Union Rags had a bad race at the Florida Derby, which lowered his stock, and then he finished seventh at the Kentucky Derby. However, these are not indicative of how good he really is, and I believe that he could show his true talent when it matters most.

Taking some time off since the Kentucky Derby should do nothing but help him, making Union Rags one of the horses to watch on race day.

Paynter

Breeder: Diamond A Racing Corp. 

Trainer: Bob Baffert 

Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC

Jockey: Mike Smith

Paynter is considered a long shot on this list for two reasons. First, he's not I'll Have Another, and second, he has not yet raced in a Triple Crown event this year.

Paynter is a relative unknown by most fans at this point, but you can bet that he'll change that on Saturday.

With good speed and stamina, he can compete in both short and long races and he did win a prep race that was shorter than six furlongs, as well as one that was 1 1/16 miles.

He has a lot of potential, and by drawing the No. 9 post he will be able to get ahead of I'll Have Another early and potentially keep him out of the equation.

Dullahan

Breeder: Phil Needham, Judy Needham & Bena Halecky 

Trainer: Dale L. Romans 

Owner: Donegal Racing

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Dullahan is probably the second-best horse in the field at the Belmont Stakes, but he is still considered a long shot because stopping I'll Have Another at this point seems impossible.

However, Dullahan drew one of the best post positions he could have gotten: No. 5.

Dullahan is the best closer in the field and only I'll Have Another's back-to-back comebacks over Bodemeister could even make me question that.

At No. 5 he will have some horses in front of him, including Union Rags. He will also be starting ahead of the Triple Crown threat, which gives him the chance to build a large enough lead to stop another huge comeback.

Dullahan has the best odds of any horse not named I'll Have Another to win the Belmont Stakes, and he just might bring the Triple Crown quest to a screeching halt.

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