2012 Belmont Stakes Post Positions: Latest Odds with I'll Have Another Scratched

The odds at the 2012 Belmont Stakes have drastically changed with just over 24 hours to go until the race.

Almost all of that can be attributed to I’ll Have Another’s tragic injury and news that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winning horse will not be able to keep his Triple Crown bid alive.

As they say, the show must go on and the Belmont will still be run, although with heavy hearts and a sense of loss, as I’ll Have Another will not be competing.

Let’s take a look at some updated odds now that the books have had some time to factor in his absence.

Current Odds courtesy of Sportsbook.ag, Morning Line courtesy of Belmont’s official site.

No. 1: Street Life-8/1, Was 12/1

Breeder: Mueller Thoroughbred Stable, Ltd. 

Trainer: Chad C. Brown 

Jockey: J. Lezcano

Owner: Magnolia Racing Stable LLC and Hidden Brook Farm

Street Life earned a decent draw on Wednesday and will start nearest the rail. He’s only raced a total of three times in 2012 and is relatively fresh coming into this event.

After finishing third at the Grade 2 Peter Pan, a 1-1/3 mile event, Street Life is poised to make a solid showing on the longer 1.5-mile track at Belmont. He won’t have to worry about I’ll Have Another sneaking up on him if he grabs a late lead and could be a surprise winner on Saturday.

No. 2: Unstoppable U-20/1, Was 30/1

Breeder: Mojallali Stables, Inc. 

Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek 

Jockey: J. Alvarado

Owner: Magdalena Racing (Susan McPeek) and Mojallali Stables, Inc.

This inexperienced horse has only raced twice in his career, but did capture a win in his last outing.

That success may be short-lived, as he has yet to run a race nearly as long as the Belmont. Look for Unstoppable to be in contention early, but cross the finish line near the back of the pack. 

No. 3: Union Rags-3/1, Was 6/1

Breeder: Phyllis M. Wyeth 

Trainer: Michael R. Matz 

Jockey: J. Velazquez

Owner: Chadds Ford Stable

Rags’ odds were severely reduced after I’ll Have Another bowed out. He was one of the Kentucky Derby favorites, but finished in a disappointing seventh place. His handlers decided to take him out of the Preakness and instead focus all of their efforts on giving him some rest and preparing for the Belmont.

It’s certainly got a great chance to pay dividends now that the top horse in the field has scratched. 

No. 4: Atigun-20/1, Was 30/1

Breeder: Brereton C. Jones 

Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek 

Jockey: J. Leparoux

Owner: Shortleaf Stable, Inc

Atigun has performed poorly in his last two races, which is concerning, considering they were both relatively longer runs. It looks as if he is regressing as well, finishing 11th in his last race and fifth before that.

While the experience may pay off, Atigun simply hasn’t proven he’s a winner and should be avoided, as there is no reason to believe he can close.

No. 5: Dullahan-9/5, Was 5/1

Breeder: Phil Needham, Judy Needham & Bena Halecky 

Trainer: Dale L. Romans 

Jockey: J. Castellano

Owner: Donegal Racing

Dullahan is now the favorite to win the 2012 Belmont Stakes. He ended up with a third-place showing at Churchill Downs earlier this year, but elected not to compete at Pimlico. He should be fresh and prepared for this upcoming race and had a great shot to win even before I’ll Have Another ducked out.

The odds may not be as juicy as they once were for this great horse, as he is no longer playing spoiler, but he’s still worth a bet. 

No. 6: Ravelo’s Boy-0/1, Was 50/1

Breeder: Diamond A Racing Corp. 

Trainer: Manuel J. Azpurua 

Jockey: A. Solis

Owner: Korina Stable

This horse doesn’t really have much of a shot and was never going to make a difference regardless of scratches.

He’s just too slow, has never shown the propensity or inclination to win and will likely finish way off the lead. Stay away from him and don’t even waste a dollar on these 40-1 odds.  

No. 7: Five Sixteen-40/1, Was 50/1

Breeder: Machmer Hall 

Trainer: Dominick A. Schettino 

Jockey: R. Napravnik

Owner: MeB Racing Stables LLC

Five Sixteen is another super long shot who just doesn’t have the chops to hang at Belmont. He’s probably got a bit more value than his odds suggest, as he has been improving slightly with each passing competition, but he’s not good enough to win.

The only bet to consider making here is finishing off a superfecta with him as the fourth horse. 

No. 8: Guyana Star Dweej-40/1, Was 50/1

Breeder: Lavin Bloodstock & Leroy S. Close

Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal 

Jockey: K. Desormeaux

Owner: Shivmangal Racing Stable, LLC

Considering that it was just recently decided that Desormeaux would ride on Guyana Star Dweej, this long shot is barely worth more than a look. Almost every other horse and jockey tandem in the field have been together for weeks, if not longer, preparing and training for the race.

Combine that with the colt not being that strong in the first place and you have a recipe for disaster.  

No. 9: Paynter-5/1, Was 8/1

Breeder: Diamond A Racing Corp. 

Trainer: Bob Baffert 

Jockey: M. Smith

Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC

Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith will be attempting to win his fourth Triple Crown race and second Belmont in three years on board Paynter tomorrow.

He’s got a great shot at accomplishing this feat now that I’ll Have Another is no longer in the field. Out of the four races Paynter was featured in, the colt won two and just seems to know how to get the job done on a track of any length. 

No. 10: Optimizer-15/1, Was 20/1

Breeder: Bluegrass Hall, LLC 

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas 

Jockey: C. Nakatani

Owner: Bluegrass Hall LLC

Optimizer is an extremely interesting play because of his immense experience in big races. He is the only horse left in the field who was entered into both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Obviously, he did not fare too well at either and isn’t a favorite in the longer Belmont either.

If you think that he’ll have grown from all his big race struggles, make a play on Optimizer, but it might be best to stay away considering what happened to I’ll Have Another after training so hard in such a short time. 

No. 11: I’ll Have Another-Scratched, Was 4/5

Breeder: Harvey Clarke 

Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill 

Jockey: M. Gutierrez

Owner: J. Paul Reddam

As you well know by now, I’ll Have Another will unfortunately not be going for a historic Triple Crown win on Saturday and is scratched. 

No. 12: My Adonis-15/1, Was 20/1

Breeder: K and G Stables 

Trainer: Kelly J. Breen

Jockey: R. Dominguez

Owner: George and Lori Hall

My Adonis was the last horse to enter the field and it seems that his handlers finally wanted to see him compete against top competition after spurning the Derby and Preakness.

In his four races this year, he’s earned three shows and seems like a competitor who will be near the front of the pack when they cross the finish line.

He may not win, but My Adonis is a nice bet to show.