Belmont Stakes 2012: Underrated Thoroughbreds Waiting to Dominate

In the days leading up to the Belmont Stakes, all the talk was about who would be able to stop I'll Have Another's quest for a Triple Crown. The injury bug took care of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, leaving the door wide open for the remaining 11 horses. 

Trying to handicap this year's Belmont has become a futile effort, with so much uncertainty and instability all over the field. 

Here is a look at some of the underrated studs who are going to capitalize on this moment to make the 2012 Belmont Stakes their own. 

Odds courtesy of Belmont Stakes Website.

Street Life (8-1 Odds)

Despite not having sterling results throughout his career, Street Life offers a lot to like as we approach the Belmont Stakes. There are some elements of his style that have to change—specifically, his desire to go all-out right away—but the speed and quickness are there for him. 

With no clear favorite, despite what oddsmakers will tell you about Dullahan, Street Life is more than capable of getting making a name for himself in the final leg of the Triple Crown. 

Street Life has not generated a lot of buzz coming into the Belmont, so he would be the prototypical sleeper pick in this kind of race. 

Unstoppable U (20-1) 

Speaking of no buzz, Unstoppable U has really done nothing to warrant any love in the Belmont Stakes. That's not to say he is a terrible runner, but this is an environment and race unlike anything he has tackled before. 

Still, there is something to be said for a horse who has been trained by Ken McPeek. He was the trainer for 2002 Belmont Stakes winner Sarava, who was one of the heaviest underdogs in Triple Crown history to win a race (70-1 odds). 

There is going to be an underdog who wins this race; it is just a matter of finding the right thoroughbred to put your money on. A name like Unstoppable U is worth your time. 

Optimizer (15-1)

If you were to look at Optimizer's performances in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, you could be forgiven if you did not want to waste time or money on him. An 11th- and sixth-place finish doesn't exactly scream "Look at me!"

However, he does have a style that plays perfectly into the way the Belmont Stakes runs. He does not have elite speed, but he does close as well as any horse in this race. As long as he retains some stamina down the stretch, he will be near the top of the leaderboard. 

Nothing that he has done before matters as much as what he is going to do on the track at Belmont. 

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