Belmont Stakes 2012 Entries: Complete Guide to Unknown Horses

Surely you know by now that I'll Have Another is gunning for the Triple Crown.

You probably remember Union Rags and Dullahan from the Kentucky Derby, and you'd probably like to forget Optimizer from two mediocre runs.

And though we don't have Bodemeister for this race, you know that his stablemate Paynter is running in this race.

But what about all of the new faces to be found at the Belmont? What's the story behind all of these new contenders trying to spoil I'll Have Another's bid for history in New York?

I've laid out some information for the seven horses in this race you're probably less familiar with. So study up, racing fans—we're just a day away from potentially experiencing history.

Street Life

Post Position: 1

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Odds: 15-1

Record: 5-2-0-1

What You Need to Know: Houston Texans owner Bob McNair owns half-interest in Street Life. Lezcano was hoping for an inside post and was pleased when Street Life ended up on the rail. Street Life could end up being a popular bet, so sneaking in on him now at 15-1 might be a smart play.

Unstoppable U

Post Position: 2

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Odds: 30-1

Record: 2-2-0-0

What You Need to Know: Trainer Ken McPeek has won this race and ended a Triple Crown attempt with a long shot before—Sarava won the Belmont in 2002 with 70-1 odds, costing War Emblem a place in history. Unstoppable U is lightly run and will probably be one of the early pace setters.

Atigun

Post Position: 4

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Odds: 30-1

Record: 9-3-1-0

What You Need to Know: See above. Of the two McPeek horses, Atigun is the more likely option to pull off the shocker.

Ravelo's Boy 

Post Position: 6

Trainer: Manny Azpurua

Jockey: Alex Solis

Odds: 50-1

Record: 13-2-0-2

What You Need to Know: He may be the huge long shot you are looking for on your trifecta via Jim Freer of The Miami Herald:

"

With the exception of I’ll Have Another, Union Rags and Dullahan, racing analyst Toby Callet feels that Ravelo’s Boy “has a better chance than most to round out the trifecta or superfecta” in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

“He’s had some very good workouts, and the pedigree indicates stamina that is no worse than most of these horses,” said Callet, the handicapper for Calder’s daily program.

"

Five Sixteen  

Post Position: 7

Trainer: Dominick Schettino

Jockey: Rosie Napravnik

Odds: 50-1

Record: 6-1-1-1

What You Need to Know: Don't bet on him. If I'm wrong, feel free to come back after the race and say mean things about me in the comments.

Guyana Star Dweej

Post Position: 8

Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

Odds: 60-1

Record: 9-1-5-0

What You Need to Know: Kent Desormeaux gets a second chance this year after failing a breathalyzer before the Preakness and losing his ride on Tiger Walk. He won the Belmont on Summer Bird in 2009.

According to Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News, Guyana Star Dweej got his name "from a horse Shivmangal trained in his native Guyana named Guyana Star, who won 52 races, including five in three days in 1982."

My Adonis

Post Position: 12

Trainer: Kelly Breen

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Odds: 20-1

Record: 10-2-4-2

What You Need to Know: He was a surprising late entry to this race. He was a substitute horse at the Kentucky Derby, but a post never opened up for him. Breen won the Belmont with another long shot last year, the 24-1 Ruler On Ice. He thinks history may repeat itself, via Bill Finley at ESPN:

"

"Everything about this is déjà vu," Breen said. "Ruler on Ice did not get into the Kentucky Derby. We entered him and he was No. 22 on the list. This year My Adonis was entered and didn't get in. We ran both of horses in the Canonero II and neither won. Ruler on Ice came back to win the Belmont without a race in between. My Adonis will be coming back without a race in between and is looking to win the Belmont."

"

We shall see if lightning can strike twice. I doubt it—I think the racing gods will smile down on I'll Have Another tomorrow.

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