Most people were disappointed to learn I'll Have Another was scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes due to injury, but there are 11 groups in Elmont, N.Y. with some reason to be happy. For the remaining 11 horses competing in the Belmont Stakes, the odds of victory just got a little bit better.

After the post positions were set earlier this week, I'll Have Another was established as an early 4/5 favorite to win at Belmont and become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. With I'll Have Another out of the race, Dullahan is the new morning line favorite at 9/5.

Owned by Donegal Racing, Dullahan finished third in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness. Before I'll Have Another was scratched, Dullahan was considered among the likeliest to spoil the Triple Crown bid. Now he has gone from potential usurper to favorite.

Who is the best choice -- and best value -- from the horses still set to race?


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  • 1. Street Life, 8/1

    Exercise rider Richard Johnson guides Street Life around the track during a workout at Belmont Park, Wednesday, June 6, 2012 in Elmont, N.Y. Street Life is entered in the Belmont Stakes Saturday.

  • 2. Unstoppable U, 20/1

    Unstoppable U gallops on the track during a workout at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Unstoppable U is entered in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

  • 3. Union Rags, 3/1

    Union Rags eats after a morning workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 1, 2012, in Louisville, Ky.

  • 4. Atigun, 15/1

  • 5. Dullahan, 9/5

    In this image taken with a slow shutter, exercise rider Faustino Aguilar takes Kentucky Derby entrant Dullahan for a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Louisville, Ky.

  • 6. Ravelo's Boy, 30/1

    Belmont Stakes hopeful Ravelo's Boy comes around Turn 4 during a workout at Belmont Park, Thursday, June 7, 2012 in Elmont, N.Y.

  • 7. Five Sixteen, 30/1

    Belmont Stakes hopeful Five Sixteen works at Belmont Park, Friday, June 8, 2012 in Elmont, N.Y. The Belmont Stakes is Saturday.

  • 8. Guyana Star Dweej, 30/1

  • 9. Paynter, 7/2

  • 10. Optimizer, 15/1

    Optimizer is led by a groomsman back to the stable before the 137th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 19, 2012, in Baltimore.

  • 11. My Adonis, 15/1


To get the latest odds as post time approaches please check BelmontStakes.com.

MORE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:

The field for Saturday's 144th Belmont Stakes, with post position, horse's name, jockey's name and odds:



1. Street LifeJ.Lezcano8-1
2. Unstoppable UJ.Alvarado20-1
3. Union RagsJ.Velzquez3-1
4. AtigunJ.Leparoux15-1
5. DullahanJ.Castellano9-5
6. Ravelo's BoyA.Solis30-1
7. Five SixteenR.Napravnik30-1
8. Guyana Star DweejK.Desormeaux30-1
9. PaynterM.Smith7-2
10. OptimizerC.Nakatani15-1
12. My AdonisR.Dominguez15-1


Trainers (by post position): 1, Chad Brown. 2, Ken McPeek. 3, Michael Matz. 4, Ken McPeek. 5, Dale Romans. 6, Manny Azpurua. 7, Dominick Schettino. 8, Doodnauth Shivmangal. 9, Bob Baffert. 10, D. Wayne Lukas. 12, Kelly Breen.


Owners (by post position): 1, Magnolia Racing Stable and Hidden Brook Farm. 2, Magdalena Racing and Mojallali Stables. 3, Chadds Ford Stable. 4, Shortleaf Stable. 5, Donegal Racing. 6, Korina Stable. 7, MeB Racing Stables LLC. 8, Shivmangal Racing Stable, LLC. 9, Zayat Stables, LLC. 10, Bluegrass Hall LLC. 12, George and Lori Hall.


Weights: 126 pounds. Distance: 1½ miles. Purse: $1 million. First place: $600,000. Second place: $200,000. Third place: $110,000. Fourth place: $60,000. Fifth place: $30,000. Post time: 6:40 p.m. EDT.