Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Long Shots You Must Bet on

Brian MaziqueJun 7, 2018

Optimizer is one of two long shots to watch, especially now that I'll Have Another has been scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. He sits as a 15-1 underdog, but removing I'll Have another will have a drastic effect on the field.

This won't be a situation where the next best horse wins the race.

Dominant horses influence other horses to run differently, and Optimizer will be one of the horses that benefits from I'll Have Another's absence.

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He has been buried previously by I'll Have Another in the Preakness and Kentucky Derby. He finished sixth and 11th in those races. He noticeably fades as I'll Have Another would hit his stride, but without that dominant closer, Optimizer stands to stay in the thick of things longer.

I think he's a good bet to place now.

Remember, I'll Have Another was a 15-1 underdog when he won the Kentucky Derby.

Atigun

Atigun is another 15-1 underdog that you should strongly consider. He's coming off a win last month at AlwOC and coincidentally he'll be rode by Julien Leparoux. Leparoux is the last jockey to ride I'll Have Another before Mario Gutierrez guided him to four-straight victories.

Take a look at Atigun's workout:

It would be ironic to see him ride the winner of the race that could have made I'll Have Another a legend.

Here are complete odds and post positions from the Belmont Stakes website.

1. Street Life (8-1) Chad Brown - Jose Lezcano

2. Unstoppable U (20-1) Ken McPeek - Junior Alvarado

3. Union Rags (3-1) Michael Matz - John Velazquez

4. Atigun (15-1) Ken McPeek - Julien Leparoux

5. Dullahan (9-5) Dale Romans - Javier Castellano

6. Ravelo's Boy (30-1) Manny Azpurua - Alex Solis

7. Five Sixteen (30-1) Dominick Schettino - Rosie Napravnik

8. Guyana Star Dweej (30-1) Doodnauth Shivmangal - Kent Desormeaux

9. Paynter (7-2) Bob Baffert - Mike Smith