Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Favorites Sure to Live Up to the Hype

After one month of hype surrounding Triple Crown season, it all comes to a head on Saturday afternoon, with I'll Have Another looking to make history at the Belmont Stakes. 

The odds for the race were released when the post positions were drawn. To no one's surprise, I'll Have Another is an overwhelming favorite to walk away with his third straight victory. 

He is hardly the only thoroughbred worth watching this week, as the field is loaded with strong candidates who will be more than willing to challenge him in this race. 

Here are the best favorites who are guaranteed to live up to their pre-race hype. 

Odds courtesy of Daily Racing Form

I'll Have Another (4-5)

It is amazing to look how far I'll Have Another has come since the Kentucky Derby started, sitting at around 15-1 odds, to actually costing you money if he wins the Belmont Stakes. 

At this point, how do you put your money on anyone else? That is not to say I'll Have Another is a stone-cold, lead-pipe lock to win the race, but until he is defeated, you have to look in his direction. 

Given his ability to hang with the middle of the pack early before turning on the jets at the end, it would be a shock if he didn't at least show in this race. 

Union Rags (6-1)

After a disappointing finish at the Kentucky Derby, everyone jumped off the Union Rags bandwagon. He has as much talent as any thoroughbred in the Belmont Stakes, so it is not a surprise to see him at 6-1. 

I am not ready to just throw Union Rags under the bus quite yet. Do I think he is going to win the Belmont Stakes? No. Do I think he has as good a shot to place or show? Absolutely.

He is a big, powerful horse that has the stamina to sustain the longer Belmont track. Union Rags has disappointed throughout his career, but you have to bet on the talent to shine through at some point. 

Paynter (8-1)

Paynter is a newbie to casual horse racing fans who only watch during Triple Crown season. He did not run in either the Derby or Preakness Stakes, so you have to trust that the oddsmakers know what they are doing. 

Another factor working in Paynter's favor is Bob Baffert. He is the best trainer in the sport today, with incredible success in Triple Crown races throughout his career. He understands how to prepare his horses for the various elements they will face in an individual race. 

The combination of Baffert and strong results throughout his career put him squarely in the mix to pull off an upset. 

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

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