Belmont Stakes 2012 Post Positions: Favorites Whose Odds Get a Boost

Although it's a factor that often gets overlooked, post positions have a major impact on the outcome of Triple Crown races. Starting in an ideal gate allows a horse to run a more comfortable race and takes a lot of pressure off the jockey.

So when trying to decide which horse will cross the finish line first at the Belmont Stakes, make sure to at least take a horse's starting spot into consideration. For a deeper dive, let's take a look at three top horses that will benefit from their post position.

No. 5 Dullahan: 5-1

Kentucky Derby contender Dullahan returns to the Belmont field after skipping the Preakness Stakes. He made a late run at the Derby, but early traffic didn't allow him to get a good break and ultimately it was too much to overcome as he finished in third.

Starting in the No. 5 gate should ensure that doesn't become a problem again, as will the fact it's a much smaller field. The talented colt already has two Grade 1 victories in his career and has never finish worse than fifth in any race.

He has enough late pace to challenge I'll Have Another as long as he's able to pace himself early. A jockey change to Javier Castellano could be exactly what the doctor ordered. Along with a good post, it's tough to find a flaw in Dullahan.

No. 9 Paynter: 8-1

Paynter enters the Belmont as a relative unknown. It will be his Triple Crown debut, and he has just four career races under his belt. But that didn't stop the oddsmakers from making him one of the top choices heading into Saturday's race.

He comes off an impressive performance in an allowance race on the Preakness undercard. The speed he showed has him trending in the right direction as race day approaches. Starting in the ninth post, right inside I'll Have Another, also helps.

If jockey Mike Smith has his way, the close post positions will force the Triple Crown hopeful to show some early pace, which he didn't have to do in the last two races. That should give Paynter the edge and a good chance at the upset.

No. 11 I'll Have Another: 4-5

One race away from history, I'll Have Another once again drew an outside post. It's worked well the first two times, so there's no reason to change a winning strategy. Look for suddenly famous jockey Mario Gutierrez to use the same late-charge approach.

I'll Have Another has started with all his most serious contenders to the inside of him at both the Derby and Preakness. So even though the outside has been a deterrent to many horses in the past, it seems like he thrives in those situations.

It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if I'll Have Another ended up on the inside, but trainer Doug O'Neill doesn't have to worry about that. Starting from the No. 11 gate solidified the superstar horse as the favorite for Saturday.