Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Worst Bets for Saturday's Race

America loves betting on horse racing, but there are a few Belmont Stakes competitors you must avoid.

I'll Have Another was ready to attempt to be the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown, but the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was scratched early Friday morning.

Fortunately for the fans, the race is certain to still be entertaining with a number of quality horses that can take home the win in the prestigious race.

For those looking to place a bet on the race, do not feel confident putting money on any of these horses on Saturday.

Union Rags (3-1)

With I'll Have Another out, Union Rags quickly becomes one of the favorites in a wide open race.

However, it is positioned between two relative longshots trained by Kenneth McPeek, Unstoppable U and Atigun. Each of these horses are quick starters that will speed up the pace, which could affect Union Rags on its quest to win the long race. 

If the horse gets caught up at the front early, it might not have any gas left at the end to close strong.

The odds are simply not good enough to warrant taking the risk.

My Adonis (15-1)

The last addition to the Belmont Stakes, My Adonis drew the unfortunate outside post in No. 12. On a long course, you do not want your horse to run any longer than it needs to. At No. 12, it will take too much energy to simply reach the pack.

Only one horse has ever won the Belmont from that post: Sarava in 2002. 

My Adonis was a longshot to begin with, and the starting position only hurts his chances.

Optimizer (15-1)

People like playing a longshot, but Optimizer at 15-1 odds hardly qualifies as one. Instead, it is more like contender odds for a horse with little chance of contending.

The horse will be fatigued from competing in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, although it did not have a good showing in either race. 

In 11 career races, Optimizer only has one win. Save your money for a horse with a better chance to succeed.

Here are the full updated odds for each horse courtesy of the Belmont Stakes official site:

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Morning Line
	Street Life	C. Brown	J. Lezcano	8-1
	Unstoppable U	K. McPeek	J. Alvarado	20-1
	Union Rags	M. Matz	J. Velazquez	3-1
	Atigun	K. McPeek	J. Leparoux	15-1
	Dullahan	D. Romans	J. Castellano	9-5
	Ravelo's Boy	M. Azpurua	A. Solis	30-1
	Five Sixteen	D. Schettino	R. Napravnik	30-1
	Guyana Star Dweej	D. Shivmangal	K. Desormeaux	30-1
	Paynter	B. Baffert	M. Smith	7-2
	Optimizer	D. Lukas	C. Nakatani	15-1
	I'll Have Another - Scratched	D. O'Neill	M. Gutierrez	-
	My Adonis	K. Breen	R. Dominguez	15-1