1. Master of Hounds
Owner: Susan Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Morning-line odds: 10-1
The skinny: Closed well to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby in his first effort over a dirt track.
2. Stay Thirsty
Owner: Repole Stables
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Morning-line odds: 20-1
The skinny: Never ran a step while finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby but has not been worse than second in four starts at New York tracks.
3. Ruler On Ice
Owner: George and Lori Hall
Trainer: Kelly Breen
Jockey: Jose Valdivia Jr.
Morning-line odds: 20-1
The skinny: Has been off the board once in six career starts but is winless against stakes company.
4. Santiva
Owner: Tom Walters
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
Morning-line odds: 15-1
The skinny: Rallied to finish an admirable sixth in the Kentucky Derby but has run his best races when sitting closer to the pace.
5. Brilliant Speed
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Morning-line odds: 15-1
The skinny: Has yet to hit the board in three tries over dirt but has a pedigree built for Belmont.
6. Nehro
Owner: Zayat Stables
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Morning-line odds: 4-1
The skinny: Has proved he can run with the best of his generation. Now needs to prove he can win.
7. Monzon
Owner: Sagamore Farm
Trainer: Ignacio Correas
Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Morning-line odds: 30-1
The skinny: Winner of the Count Fleet Stakes was sixth last time out in Grade II Peter Pan Stakes.
8. Prime Cut
Owner: Donald Adam
Trainer: Neil Howard
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Morning-line odds: 15-1
The skinny: Consistent son of Bernstein was third in the Grade II Peter Pan after bobbling at the start.
9. Animal Kingdom
Owner: Team Valor International
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Jockey: John Velazquez
Morning-line odds: 2-1
The skinny: That he was able to close off slow fractions in the Derby puts him in good stead, but he can't leave himself with as much to do as he did on Preakness day.
10. Mucho Macho Man
Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team Racing
Trainer: Kathy Ritvo
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Morning-line odds: 10-1
The skinny: Lost a shoe during his sixth-place run in the Preakness Stakes. Needs a strong Belmont effort to prove he belongs among the elite 3-year-olds.
11. Isn't He Perfect
Owner: Kharag Stables
Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Morning-line odds: 30-1
The skinny: Was a non-factor in the Preakness, finishing ninth beaten 111/4 lengths.
12. Shackleford
Owner: Michael Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Jesus Castanon
Morning-line odds: 9-2
The skinny: Front-running style is historically successful at Belmont and he shouldn't have much pressure on the lead. Can he last for 11/2 miles is the question.
