Belmont Stakes 2012 Post Time: Updated Start Times for Last Triple Crown Race

The Triple Crown's most coveted jewel is up for grabs in today's Belmont Stakes.

I'll Have Another's tragic injury leaves 11 horses vying for the sport's most elusive victory. Belmont's one-and-a-half mile distance is grueling even for racing's most seasoned steeds.

Pre-race coverage is well underway, while the race itself is set to start at 6:40 EST on NBC.  Let's take one final look at the odds for this year's field before the race begins. 

*All odds courtesy of Bovada

Post Position	Horse	Odds
1	Street Life	9-1
2	Unstoppable U	10-1
3	Union Rags	5-2
4	Atigun	20-1
5	Dullahan	3-1
6	Ravelo's Boy	25-1
7	Five Sixteen	16-1
8	Guyana Star Dweej	21-1
9	Paynter	9-2
10	Optimizer	13-1
11	I'll Have Another	Scratched
12	My Adonis	19-1

This year's entrants include many exciting contenders. Dullahan, Union Rags and Paynter are the top favorites, with Street Life just behind Paynter on the pre-race leaderboard.

It's time to take one final look at this year's top-three horses.

Union Rags

Michael Matz's horse is one of this year's best colts. His seventh-placed finish in the Kentucky Derby was disappointing, but it could also be considered a fluke.

Before that race, Union Rags never finished worse than third.

He must avoid congestion and allow himself to run in open space. If he can, he is well-rested after sitting out the Preakness, and should have the endurance to contend until the end.

Dullahan

Dullahan finished third in the Kentucky Derby. The only two horses who were better at Churchill Downs are not participating in today's contest.

That makes Dullahan the obvious favorite to win this year's Belmont showdown.

He is a better closer than he is a starter, and that will bode well for him on Belmont's long lengths. Expect him to finish in the race's top three.

His combination of speed and endurance could make for a dominant performance.

Paynter

Bob Baffert decided to enter Paynter in this race instead of his other horse, Bodemeister.

He has taken first in two of his four career races, but has never raced this distance. He is a notoriously fast sprinter, but his endurance could be a major factor down the backstretch.

Bodemeister was chased down in each of the Triple Crown's first two legs. Baffert is hoping Paynter doesn't repeat that same result.

He enters the race as a contender, and he should make good on that assumption.