Belmont Stakes 2011 Contenders: Outside of the Favorites, Who Will Contend?

The Belmont Stakes generally has its favorites going into the race every year. After all, in the race you have the horses that won the Preakness and Kentucky Derby, who would obviously be the favorites, as well as a couple other ones who nearly won.

There are 12 horses in the race, and while we know that Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Nehro are the three favorites to win the Belmont, that still leaves nine others who certainly have the opportunity on a less crowded, longer track to pull it off.

Of those nine horses, who will contend? I can't see Isn't He Perfect doing anything, as he has shown to be out of his depth with these other horses. Monzon's lack of experience in a race of this magnitude keeps him out as well.

I'm not feeling it from Stay Thirsty or Ruler on Ice either, as the former had a disappointing Kentucky Derby matchup and the latter has a lack of experience, and horses comparable to him have struggled in the big events.

This leaves five horses who have a realistic shot at contending. The first is the one who has the inside track, Master of Hounds. He ran a very solid Kentucky Derby, finishing just behind Shackleford, and he will certainly end up in the top half of the pack as a result, perhaps even the top three.

Santiva finished around the same spot as Master of Hounds, as did Brilliant Speed. Brilliant Speed can handle the distance, and Santiva seems like he could perform deceptively well. Both have positions in the middle, which puts them at an advantage, so both are ones to keep an eye on.

Perhaps the most confusing one to place here is Mucho Macho Man. He was so consistent in his early races, and a great Kentucky Derby effort put many fans in his camp. However, he disappointed at the Preakness, and far fewer people are biting on him.

That lack of confidence could be what this horse needs to silence the critics, and he should at least be able to remain in the field, even if he doesn't break out and do particularly well.

The final horse that could contend is a surprising one, as it is another who did not race in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness. That horse is Prime Cut.

Prime Cut has been very consistent in his career, and while some of these horses may be intimidating, he did finish third in the Peter Pan at the Belmont, so he knows the track and can run on it well. If any horse could shock on Saturday, it would be this one.

As tempting as it may be to choose from one of the three clear front runners, the middle of the pack can't be counted out, especially when there are only 12 horses in the field.