Belmont Stakes 2012: Dullahan and 3 Horses You Should Pull for

The Belmont Stakes is perhaps the biggest event in horse racing, known fondly as the "Test of a Champion."  

Even with I'll Have Another's last minute scratch, the Belmont is shaping up to be an exhilarating race. As in any horse race, there are favorites and underdogs.  And in the 144th Belmont Stakes, there are stories of redemption, newcomers, and forgotten horses all in play.  

Here are three horses you should be rooting for.  

Dullahan

Dullahan seems to be the forgotten horse in all of this Triple Crown madness.  While I'll Have Another and Bodemeister finished first and second respectively in the Kentucky Derby, Dullahan was the horse that finished third.

He did not race in the Preakness, which may very well work to his advantage, as two of the last three Belmont winners bypassed the Preakness after racing in the Kentucky Derby.  

Dullahan is seemingly set to play the role of spoiler and trainer Dale Romans is ready for the onslaught of boos that may accompany a win (via Bloodhorse.com).

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"I wouldn't trade places with anyone," Romans said. "I want to walk out of here with 120,00 people booing me."

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The horse also got a favorable post position in No. 5.  Dullahan started in the same block in the Kentucky Derby.  While he finished just third in the Derby, some argue he would have finished second or even won had the race been as long as the Belmont. 

Union Rags

People seem to forget that Union Rags was the favorite heading into the Kentucky Derby just five weeks ago.  Coming into Belmont, he is listed as one of the favorites (6-1) to run first. And many believe he will redeem his seventh-place finish at the Derby.

Belmont fits Union Rags perfectly.  His unique combination of speed and, more importantly, endurance, will bode well for him in the mile and a half race.  Union Rags' physical attributes will tremendously help him come Saturday (via Sportingnews.com)

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"He’s a big horse with a long stride, and he covers the ground easy," trainer Michael Matz said.

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This redemption story would be a heartwarming one, as Union Rags had a brilliant career and prosperous future prior to the disappointing finish at the Derby.  

Street Life

With perhaps the coolest name in the Belmont Stakes, Street Life may have a chance to pull off a monumental upset.  Despite being a 12-1 underdog, he has the perfect racing style for the Belmont and has a real chance at running first.

The Belmont on Saturday will be Street Life's first Triple Crown race and he will be starting in the No. 1 post position.  That starting position has produced 23 winners, the most since the Belmont's current distance of a mile and a half was implemented in 1926.  

Street Life has been consistently improving as noted by trainer Chad Brown (via NYRA.com). "He’s getting more mature, he’s getting sharper every day I see him training out there."

He's known as a stalker, or closer, horse who likes to hang back until late in the race.  With the Belmont's mile and a half track, this could be a beneficial strategy for Street Life. According to Belmontstakes.org, Brown is in favor of a long race, suggesting his horse only gets better the longer a race goes on.  

If this notion rings true on Saturday, Street Life could very well win the Belmont Stakes and give Brown his first Grade 1 victory with a male horse.