Sagamore Farm's Monzon arrived at Belmont Park early today and after getting a bath was resting in a stall until the race, according to posts on Facebook by the horse's connections.

Although made a 30-1 longshot on Wednesday by the Belmont handicapper Eric Donovan, Sagamore Farm's officials are very optimistic and confident that Monzon will run a good race. Monzon drew the No. 7 post position in the 12-horse field. The other Maryland-based horse, Animal Kingdom, was made a 2-1 morning-line favorite on Wednesday. He is trying to become just the 12th horse to win the Derby and the Belmont.

John Velazquez, who rode Animal Kingdom in the Derby and Preakness, has the mount in the Belmont. He won the 2007 Belmont aboard Rags to Riches and has raced at Belmont Park for a number of years.

While many are anticipating a rematch between Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford, Nehro, the runner-up at the Derby was made a surprising No. 2 choice behind Animal Kingdom at 4-1. it's the first time since 2005 that the Derby winner and Preakness winner faced each other in the Belmont.

Following the draw, Animal Kingdom trainer Graham Motion said he expected a duel between his horse and Shackleford, with Nehro in the mix.

"I find it odd that we look to knock these horses when they just put on a great show on Preakness day," Motion told reporters at Belmont Park. "I think they look like two really nice horses and hopefully they can come back and validate that in the Belmont. ... I don't think this year is any different. I think what my horse has achieved in being such a lightly raced horse and having only two races on the dirt, I think it's pretty extraordinary and unparalleled, to be honest."

But Shackleford drew the No. 12 post position, a tough spot for a speed horse in the longest race of the year. He'll have to run wide in the first turn if he expects to get to the front early like he did in the Preakness. No horse has ever won the Belmont from the No. 12 hole. Animal Kingdom drew the No. 9 post. Just four horses have won the Belmont from that starting position since 1905.

The first seven finishers in the Derby will be looking to claim the third leg of the Triple Crown. After Animal Kingdom and Nehro, Mucho Macho Man, Shackleford, Master of Hounds, Santiva and Brilliant Speed are in the running.

Stay Thirsty also ran in the Derby, finishing 12th. Isn't He Perfect finished ninth in the Preakness. The new horses after Monzon who didn't run in either the Derby or Preakness are Ruler on Ice and Prime Cut. A lot of buzz surrounded Prime Cut, who was given 15-1 odds on Wednesday.