MAIN Recreation Sports Horse Racing 2012 Belmont Stakes

Just up ahead, check out the top contenders, post positions, odds, facts and figures, history & trivia plus related Belmont party ideas — along with everything else you ever wanted to know about the Triple Crown finale in New York City.

This year, all the action takes place at Belmont Park on Saturday June 9, 2012, post time 6:30 PM ET, with complete TV coverage airing on NBC beginning at 5 PM ET for the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes.

About a dozen horses are the maximum field eligible for contention in the annual race. Watch for the official Belmont Stakes post positions, odds, and selected jockeys to be announced live from Belmont Park on Wednesday, June 6, 2012.

2012 Belmont post positions & morning line odds

Belmont 2011 recap

Oddsmakers listed Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Nehro as the horses to watch in this year's Belmont Stakes after making impressive runs at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in May.

Animal Kingdom's initial victory at Churchill Downs, followed by Shackleford's surprise win at Pimlico, made them obvious favorites.

Nehro, who came in second in Kentucky, sat out the the Preakness but met once again with the big boys at Belmont for an exciting race that kept spectators at the edge of their seats. Add to that the possible upset by this year's sleeper, Mucho Macho Man, and - and the wet, sloppy conditioins at Belmont on race day - and you had all the makings of a major horse race.

The winner? It was dark horse Ruler on Ice (at 24-1) who stunned everybody with a stunning defeat of every top pick to take the Belmont crown, and paid $51.50, $26.00 and $13.60. Coming in second was Stay Thirsty, paying $19.40 and $10.80. In third was Brilliant Speed paying $7.90. Favorite Animal Kingdom after a disasterous start at the gate, limped along to come in sixth.

also see -> All About Belmont - Race to the Triple Crown

More about the Belmont Stakes around the Web:

Belmont Stakes - The official site offering up ticket information, video clips, history and trivia and the complete lineup for the big race in June, along with feature stories & highlights

NBC Sports - Horse Racing - The official home of the televised Triple Crown races featuring Belmont news and related articles, video clips, history and trivia, plus fun features on the Kentucky Derby and Preakness races.

Thoroughbred Times On-Line - Road to the Triple Crown - All the past winners from Sir Barton (1919) to Affirmed (1978) with illustrated background on each, other major contenders of note, news, recent results on horses to watch, and lots more.

Belmont Stakes - Deep background, historical facts & photos from Wikipedia, along with a complete list of winners and jockeys dating back to 1867.

Belmont Stakes Party Ideas

The Belmont Breeze - Party on - with information and a recipe for the official drink of the Belmont Stakes.

The Belmont Stakes Cocktail - Another excuse to party from That's the Spirit.com, offering up a shaken blend of rum, vodka, grenadine, lime juice and strawberry, with mixing instructions.

FamilyFun: Horse Cake - Dessert for kids of all ages, with licorice for the bridle, and a jelly bean nose.

Millemark Equine Postcard Center - Say 'hay!' with a selection of photos to send as free e-invitations to the party.