Belmont Stakes 2012 Post Positions: Horses Who Have History on Their Side

Without I'll Have Another in the running of the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the field has been opened to new contenders who will have history to thank if they emerge victorious.

Paynter

With just four races under this colt's belt, it's almost odd to say Paynter will have history on his side when the Belmont gets underway. That history though comes from his father, Canadian Hall of Fame horse Awesome Again, and his Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Awesome Again took home the 1998 Breeder's Cup Classic trophy along with four other major race victories while Baffert has nine total victories in Triple Crown races.

With two Hall of Famers connected to this horse, he's my pick to emerge as the victor.

Union Rags

While casual fans and gamblers might recognize Union Rags as the horse who disappointed at this year's Derby, he actually has a recent history of placing well.

Over his five races leading up to the Derby, 'Rags finished in the top three in all, winning three of them.

Despite the less-than-stellar finish in the horse's most recent race, there are still plenty of believers in Union Rags, such as Tom Luicci of the New Jersey Star-Ledger, who said:

"

Union Rags owns an impressive victory over the Belmont surface as a 2-year-old and has been victimized by bad luck at three [years old]. He’s now the most talented horse in the field.

"

If this horse can rediscover the mojo that led to his pre-Derby string of success, there's no reason he can't take home the first place prize money.

Street Life

While probably my least-favorite name in the race, Street Life's ability cannot be denied. His recent race finishes aren't as impressive as Union Rags', with three top three finishes and two outside the top five, but his pedigree is as good as anyone's in the field.

Street Life is the offspring of the stallion Street Sense, who was one of the most impressive horses on the circuit back in 2007. That year, the horse won Jim Dandy and Traverse Stakes, the Derby and finished second at the Preakness.

He's a long shot to win the race, but he's proven his closing ability in his third place finish at the Peter Pan. While not the heavy favorite entering the Belmont, Street Life could surprise more than a few when the final results come in.