Belmont Stakes 2012: Dullahan Will Dominate Triple Crown's Final Leg

Dullahan enters the Belmont as the race's favorite, and he will ride those odds to a dominant performance in the Triple Crown's final stanza.

He is proven, talented and, most importantly, well-rested entering today's 1.5 mile trek. All of these factors will play into his advantage over the rest of the Belmont field.

I'll Have Another is out. Dullahan has emerged as the race's primary threat.

Let's take a look at why Dullahan will topple all takers in today's Triple Crown finale.

Time Off

Dullahan has not raced since his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

While other contending horses were expending energy on Pimlico's short track, Dullahan was resting up for the Belmont's grueling lengths.

Grabbing some much-needed rest will benefit Dullahan more than anything today. The Belmont is the Triple Crown's toughest leg for a reason. Not many horses can pick their way through a crowded field, especially for 1.5 miles.

The only two horses that finished higher than Dullahan at Churchill Downs are out of the Belmont. That clears the way for domination from Dale Roman's trusty colt.

Dullahan's time off will benefit him in the second half of today's race. Other horses may struggle down Belmont's backstretch, but his rest will allow him to push through.

Endurance is tough to come by, and you can't win the Belmont without it. Dullahan's light workload will give him an absolute advantage from the very beginning.

Talented and Proven

Dullahan has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success since June 2011.

Since that time, he has participated in nine races. He finished no lower than fifth each time. This gives him, and his handlers, an understanding of what it takes to win.

Participating in races on four different tracks, and at four different lengths, adds to Dullahan's preparation. He will not be intimidated by Belmont's tricky dirt surface, and he will not back down from an unfamiliar scene.

Dullahan's trainer, Kent Desormeaux, has raced more than 15 times at Belmont this season. This provides Dullahan with a steady, capable hand who is experienced with the pitfalls on today's course.

Other horses will contend in today's race. Expect Union Rags, Paynter and Street Life to make things interesting at some point.

But in the end, Dullahan will turn in a dominant performance. Speed, endurance, preparation and expert handling are all in his favor.

Now, he just has to make it happen on the track.