Belmont Stakes 2012: Bodemeister To Sit Out

After finishing second in the first two legs of this year's Triple Crown, Bodemeister will be sitting out the Belmont Stakes that goes down on June 9. Trainer Bob Baffert tells Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News that he never actually intended for the horse to race the Belmont despite the hype he received before the Kentucky Derby.

We were never intending to run in the Belmont. We wanted to make the Derby and the Preakness was his sixth start this year.

Considered the favorite entering the Kentucky Derby, Bodemeister managed to finish second as I'll Have Another took the crown. Entering similar circumstances at the Preakness Stakes, a similar result occurred as Bodemeister fell short by mere inches to I'll Have Another.

Now, with the chance to fight I'll Have Another's attempt at the first Triple Crown since 1978, Bodemeister is resting rather than race the third leg. Bossert says that the horse will likely return to the races on July 29 in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

For more on this race, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the 2012 Preakness, check out SB Nation's StoryStream.