Pre-Race Hype Brings Off-Track Success To Belmont Stakes

Despite the Triple Crown not being on the line in Saturday's Belmont Stakes, the race reported a record crowd, along with very high ratings and an impressive amount of money being bet.

The attendance was listed as 85,811, which was a 53.8 increase from the previous season, according to Daily Racing Forum. It was the biggest crowd for a Belmont Stakes in which the Triple Crown was not on the line. However, that should come with a bit of an asterisk, as Triple Crown contender I'll Have Another wasn't pulled out of the race until the day before.

Despite the lack of a Triple Crown chance, the ontrack handle for betting was $13.8 million, which was the second-highest all-time for the Belmont Stakes. The TV ratings for the final 45 minutes of NBC's broadcast reportedly was a 5.4, which was a 13 percent increase from last year.

Overall, it appears the draw of I'll Have Another brought the fans during the build-up, but they still stuck around after the horse was pulled from the race, which is a good thing for horse racing.

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with this \StoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and aglossary of horse racing terms.

VIDEO: Union Rags Wins 2012 Belmont Stakes

It wasn't the race that everyone was hoping for, with the scratch and eventual retirement of I'll Have Another from contention of a possible Triple Crown in 2012. However, the Belmont Stakes still featured some exciting down to the wire action and Union Rags, a favorite heading into the Kentucky Derby this year, ended up earning some glory of his own in the end.

For those who missed the 2012 Belmont Stakes, SB Nation's Matt Gardner has you covered with some analysis on what happened in the race including the late burst by Union Rags to beat Paynter down the stretch. Catch the vid below:

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with thisStoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and aglossary of horse racing terms.

Belmont Stakes Payout: Union Rags Earns 7.50 For Win Over Paynter, Atigun

The 2012 Belmont Stakes was a big loss on a lot of levels -- from Doug O'Neill's camp to NBC as a broadcaster -- ever since I'll Have Another was announced as a scratch from the race. Instead, that left the field without any significant horses to pull in viewers, even Bodemeister, so fans had to get to know some others. Union Rags came up big in the end and won over Paynter and Atigun to take the prize.

For those who waited to wager until the last minute, you might have lucked out with the smaller field. Union Rags paid out pretty well for a winner. Here's the complete payouts.

2012 Belmont Stakes: Union Rags Comes From Behind To Win

With I'll Have Another out of the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes the race lost its luster as there was no chance for a Triple Crown winner. Even without a Triple Crown threat in the race, the Belmont track is still one of the more difficult races, and this years race did provide some drams.

Poytner came out of the gate fast to take an early lead through the first turn where they led over Union Rags by about three lengths and then were followed by Dullahan. On the backstretch, Paynter was followed by Optimizer, Unstoppable U and My Adonis, with Union Rags close behind the pack.

Union Rags made their run with approximately 100 yards and on the inside rail. They kept pushing and pushing until Unior Rags caught Poynter and edged them out to win the race.

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.

2012 Belmont Stakes Odds: Updated Betting Lines, Dullahan Still The Favorite

The running of the 2012 Belmont Stakes is just about one hour away and the betting lines from Friday night have changed quite a bit on Saturday. Nearly every horses odds have gotten longer, and it likely has to do with I'll Have Another being scratched from the race.

Dullahan is still the favorite at 5/1, but that is a change from being a 9/5 favorite on Friday night, Union Rags went from 3/1 to now at 6/1 and Paytner was 7/2 and is now 8/1.

The long shot horses took an even bigger hit as Ravelo's Boy, Five Sixtenn and Guyana Star Dweek went from 30/1 to now all being a 50/1 long shot.

Here are the latest odds:

1-Street Life, 12/1
2-Unstoppable U, 30/1
3-Union Rags, 6/1
4-Atigun, 30/1
5-Dullahan, 5/1
6-Ravelo's Boy, 50/1
7-Five Sixteen, 50/1
8-Guyana Star Dweej, 50/1
9-Paynter, 8/1
10-Optimizer, 20/1
11-I'll Have Another, Scratched
12-My Adonis, 20/1

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with thisStoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.

Belmont Stakes 2012: Current Odds, Entries, TV Schedule And More

The 2012 Belmont Stakes is set for Saturday night, and though I'll Have Another had one too many, there is still plenty to be excited for -- even without a Triple Crown chase.

With I'll Have Another being scratched, Dullahan is the new favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. Here are the latest odds on each horse, sorted by post position:

1. Street Life, 8-1
2. Unstoppable U, 20-1
3. Union Rags, 3-1
4. Atigun, 15-1
5. Dullahan, 9-5
6. Ravelo's Boy, 30-1
7. Five Sixteen, 30-1
8. Guyana Star Dweej, 30-1
9. Paynter, 7-2
10. Optimizer, 15-1
11. I'll Have Another, scratched
12. My Adonis, 15-1

2012 Belmont Stakes: Mario Gutierrez Mourns Retirement Of I'll Have Another

They were a pair of unexpected heroes who will be linked together forever. Unfortunately so much of the story centered on I'll Have Another and his jockey Mario Gutierrez will also be clouded with questions of what could have been after the race horse officially was scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes.

I'll Have Another will officially retire as well, which means that the winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes will go out a champion who couldn't quite finish competing for the Triple Crown. He was a completely unexpected surprise who upended the more celebrated Bodemeister not once but twice on the biggest stage possible.

As for the jockey who brought him there, Gutierrez was riding for the first time on any level like the Derby when he overtook Bodemeister down the stretch to win. He's been a joy to watch from the outset with real emotion, authenticity and, obviously, talent. His keen handling of I'll Have Another was as great of a story to watch as the horse himself. Now we have to go without both.

Gutierrez mourned the loss of I'll Have Another when the news was made official.

"He'll be my hero forever," a somber Gutierrez said. "What I'll Have Another did for me is so amazing. He brought happiness to my life."

It's also clear that Gutierrez is not the only one upset. Even competitors were frustrated and sorrowful at the loss of horse racing history in the making.

"Our hearts go out to the connections of I'll Have Another," NYRA chairman Steven Duncker said. "We are all disappointed for them, the fans, and for the sport of thoroughbred racing, but the most important concern is always the health and well-being of the horses."

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with thisStoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and aglossary of horse racing terms.

2012 Belmont Stakes: New Favorite Is Dullahan At 9/5

The odds have been updated for the 2012 Belmont Stakes now that I'll Have Another has been scratched due to an injury. The new favorite for Saturday's race is Dullahan who comes in at 9/5, followed by Union Rags at 3/1 and then Paynter is given 7/2 odds.

The has lost quite a bit of appeal now that there is no chance for a Triple Crown, but it will be interesting to see what type betting action there will be with a new favorite.

Here are the latest odds:

1-Street Life, 8/1
2-Unstoppable U, 20/1
3-Union Rags, 3/1
4-Atigun, 15/1
5-Dullahan, 9/5
6-Ravelo's Boy, 30/1
7-Five Sixteen, 30/1
8-Guyana Star Dweej, 30/1
9-Paynter, 7/2
10-Optimizer, 15/1
11-I'll Have Another, Scratched
12-My Adonis, 15/1

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.

2012 Belmont Stakes: I'll Have Another Retires After Suffering Tendon Injury

The drought for a horse racing Triple Crown continues as I'll Have Another is scratched from the race due to a tendon injury which was suffered during Friday's training session, and now has officially retired from horse racing.

The tendon injury is not life threatening but it is sever enough to end a career, because if I'll Have Another suffers the injury again the horse may not be able to recover. With the breeding value of I'll Have Another it was the right choice to have the horse retire.

SB Nation's horse racing expert Matt Gardner of And Down the Stretch They Come discusses I'll Have Another's injury, and also what to expect in Saturday's Belmont Stakes now that the favorite is out.

For more on the Belmont Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down the Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a beginner's guide to following horse racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.

2012 Belmont Stakes Odds: Vegas Left Wondering What To Do Without I'll Have Another

With I’ll Have Another in the line-up, the odds for the 2012 Belmont Stakes were a rather easy field to put together. I’ll Have Another was the overwhelming favorite to win at 4-5 odds while others like Dullahan and Union Rags took the second and third favorite spots respectively.

Now that I’ll Have Another is scratched, it’s clear that Vegas doesn’t quite know what to do with the new field present for tomorrow night’s race. Eventually the odds will set be and bettors will be able to place their wagers, but for now the lines are unavailable until further notice. That shows just how up in the air it all is at this point.

There’s no favorite without I’ll Have Another, but there’s not even a clear second best without Bodemeister as well. Union Rags skipped the Preakness, so it will likely be down to a questionable favorite with either Union Rags or Dullahan. Paynter could be a horse to watch given the changed field at this point, and perhaps that will be a late darkhose. For now, everyone, even Vegas, is shocked at the news today.

A video from SB Nation's YouTube channel about the history of the Triple Crown:

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down The Stretch They Come.

2012 Belmont Stakes: Union Rags, Dullahan Become Favorites After I'll Have Another Scratches

With the scratch of I’ll Have Another from the field competing at this weekend’s Belmont Stakes, the favorite is now officially out of the race. That means that the field is wide open for someone else to claim the crown, and that’s likely to be Dullahan or Union Rags heading into this weekend.

The 2012 Belmont Stakes runs tomorrow night and it was supposed to be a night for horse racing history as I’ll Have Another was expected to compete for the Triple Crown. However a late scratch today has taken out the horse and it means that the Derby and Preakness winner won’t achieve long-term glory in the sport. While Doug O’Neill and company are likely saddened, it does allow for another horse to stand tal.

Dullahan and Union Rags have been the favored choices alongside I’ll Have Another for some time. Union Rags ran the Derby but failed to appear in the Preakness, so the horse is likely to emerge as the favorite. Dullahan was 5-1 odds before I’ll Have Another scratched.

Some other options are Paynter and My Adonis.

A video from SB Nation's YouTube channel about the history of the Triple Crown:

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down The Stretch They Come.

I'll Have Another Likely To Retire, Won't Run Belmont Stakes

In a most unfortunate turn for not only the 2012 Belmont Stakes but for horse racing enthusiasts everywhere, I'll Have Another has been officially scratched from the race. Not only will he not go after the 2012 Triple Crown but he's likely finished with his racing career.

"If I had to wager....I would say yes." Doug O'Neill on if "I'll Have Another" has run its last race. @dpshow

— Paulie Pabst (@PaulPabst) June 8, 2012

The winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness had to bow out from competing in the Belmont Stakes, which means Affirmed will remain enshrined in glory for yet another year as the last horse to accomplish the feat of winning all three legs. I'll Have Another's team certainly enjoyed a banner year in racing regardless, but it's a rather sad ending to a year that will remembered more for dashed expectations than anything else.

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down The Stretch They Come.

Belmont Stakes Odds Update: I'll Have Another Remains Big Favorite

With the post positions now decided in the Belmont Stakes, I'll Have Another remains a huge favorite despite receiving a relatively unfavorable draw at the outside of the pack at No. 11.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner is getting 4:5 odds to finish off the Triple Crown and win the Belmont on Saturday.

In comparison, I'll Have Another's two biggest challengers, Dullahan and Union Rags, are getting much better odds while also having a better draw. Dullahan (5:1), considered the biggest threat, will be racing from the No. 5 position while Union Rags (6:1) is in the No. 3 position.

Farther back in the field are Paynter (8:1), My Adonis (20:1) and Optimizer (20:1). No other horse is closer than 30:1, while the back end of the field all check in at 50:1.

A video from SB Nation's YouTube channel about the history of the Triple Crown:

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down The Stretch They Come.

VIDEO: Triple Crown Preview Of 2012 Belmont Stakes From SB Nation

Matt Gardner of SB Nation is previewing the upcoming 2012 Belmont Stakes and specifically I'll Have Another's chance of winning the final Triple Crown race to make horse racing history. In short, it looks like the horse has a great shot at matching Affirmed's feat of 1978 as the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont as well. Here's his analysis of the week that I'll Have Another is having leading up to Belmont.

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down the Stretch they Come.

Belmont Stakes Odds 2012: I'll Have Another Goes For Triple Crown Against Dullahan, Union Rags

One look at the field for the 2012 Belmont Stakes and it’s quite clear that I’ll Have Another has as clear a shot as his trainers and staff and owner could hope for regarding a possible Triple Crown win. It hasn’t been achieved since 1978 when Affirmed won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, but I’ll Have Another is by far the favorite against a field that’s missing Bodemeister as his prime challenger.

I’ll Have Another is favored 4-5 by the bettors at this point, and the next closest horse is Dullahan at 5-1. That’s good news for someone who wants to bet a longshot. Paynter should be a favorite here at 12-1 and Union Rags will also garner some attention after having missed the Preakness at 6-1 odds. Check out the complete field below.

2012 Belmont Stakes Betting Odds As Of 6/4:
Alpha (15-1)
Atigun (15-1)
Dullahan (5-1)
Five Sixteen (50-1)
Guyana Star Dweej (50-1)
I’ll Have Another (4-5)
Optimizer (30-1)
Paynter (12-1)
Street Life (15-1)
Union Rags (6-1)
Unstoppable U (30-1)

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down the Stretch they Come.

2012 Belmont Stakes: The Importance Of Keeping To To A Training Schedule For I'll Have Another

The 2012 Belmont Stakes are just over a week away and I'll Have Another has so far stayed healthy and has been able to keep up their training schedule even though the pressure and spot light is on the horse. Matt Gardner of And Down the Stretch they Come talks about how it is important for I'll Have Another continues to keep a regular training routine and stays injury free.

Gardner discusses that I'll Have Another has already been galloping on the Belmont track to get a feel for the course, and has been getting out to early training sessions. Most importantly their training schedule has been kept intact.

The other important issue to watch out for is minor injuries, because even missing one training session could have an adverse affect once race day comes around. Gardner discusses how back in 2008 that Big Brown missed some training time leading up to the Belmont, and those missed training sessions could have caused Big Brown to falter in their Triple Crown attempt.

2012 Belmont Stakes: Favorite, I'll Have Another Almost Involved In Training Accident

I'll Have Another, the overwhelming 13/10 odds on favorite to win the Belmont Stakes on June 9th and becoming the first horse to win the famed Triple Crown in 34 years. Affirmed was the last horse to accomplish the feat back in 1978.

But the horse almost didn't have a chance as he narrowly avoided a collision this afternoon during a training run at Belmont on Thursday afternoon.

CBS New York has more on this story according to the horse's trainer, Doug O'Neill:

O'Neil says his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was walking a few feet from the outside rail when another horse threw his rider and came "screaming up the outside rail" in the same direction I'll Have Another was walking.

Thankfully the accident was avoided and I'll Have Another's chances to win the Triple Crown are still alive.

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down the Stretch they Come.

2012 Belmont Stakes Odds: I'll Have Another, Union Rags Form Favorites At Top

As the final turn of the 2012 Triple Crown gets closer via the upcoming Belmont Stakes, it's clear that it's a two-horse contest for most bettors. I'll Have Another is the obvious choice as the favorite given the horse's victories at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Union Rags is back from the Derby as a current 5-1 wager in second place. Paynter is third for those wanting a trifecta of the top three choices currently on the board.

If I'll Have Another wins, it will be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. That's an amazing run without a single horse taking all three, showing just how difficult it is to have lightning strike three times. The mere possibility of a win for I'll Have Another makes this the most interesting Belmont Stakes run in years.

Here's the official odds at this point:

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down the Stretch they Come.

Belmont Stakes 2012: I'll Have Another Is The Betting Favorite

The 2012 Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 9. I'll Have Another is attempting to secure the third and final leg of the Triple Crown to bring home one of the most elusive titles in all of sports. It's been over 30 years since America has been able to cheer for a Triple Crown winner, but I'll Have Another just might do it.

Unlike in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, I'll Have Another will enter the Belmont Stakes as the odds-on favorite. When the line opened, I'll Have Another was the favorite, but his odds have only improved since then.

The current odds have I'll Have Another at 5/4 to win the Belmont Stakes, with Union Rags at 5/1 and Paynter at 9/1. Strong contenders Bodemeister and Gemologist have opted not to run in the Belmont Stakes, so the Triple Crown may very well be within reach.

For lots more on the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, please visit And Down the Stretch they Come.

Belmont Stakes 2012: I'll Have Another Trainer Says 'Bring It On'

The 2012 Belmont Stakes will be the most popular horse race in quite some time. All eyes will be on I’ll Have Another to see if he can become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978 when Affirmed was able to take Belmont, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

I’ll Have Another mimicked his win at the Derby last weekend with the Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore when he overtook Bodemeister. The horse was the favorite in both races, but I’ll Have Another came from behind to take both.

“Bring it on! We’re ready to go. Super pumped!” O’Neill said as he held court outside the stall of his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. "I can’t put into words how incredible it is. We’re just on Cloud 9. It’s super exciting.

“It’s hasn’t completely sunk in yet,” he said. “The party out here at the barn after the race was like wow! I’ve never seen anything like that – everyone so excited about horse racing and I’ll Have Another being 2-for-2. I definitely feel the energy and buzz in the air.”

The Belmont is not for another three weeks, but the attention is only going to grow as the horse prepares for the Triple Crown.