Kentucky Derby 2012: Preakness Predictions for Saturday's Top Finishers

The 137th running of the Preakness Stakes will favor the sprinters in the field
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The Preakness Stakes is the real jewel of the Triple Crown.

It is not as pompous as the Kentucky Derby, but it actually matters, unlike the Belmont Stakes in most years.

The 137th running of the Preakness Stakes will not provide the drama of this year's Kentucky Derby. With the shorter distance, it would not be surprising if a horse like Trinniberg got out in front and stayed there.

The Kentucky Derby was probably not the best indicator of how the top finishers on Saturday will run on May 19.

Here are the Preakness predictions for those top four horses at the Derby.

Went the Day Well's Run Not Quite Over Yet

Went the Day Well finished an impressive fourth at the Derby.
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Heading into the final stretch at Churchill Downs, it looked as if Went the Day Well would not even be invited to partake in the Preakness Stakes festivities.

He was languishing towards the back of the pack, but an impressive close saw him finish the race fourth and earn invitations to both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

No decision has been made about whether or not Went the Day Well will run at Pimlico, but it is hard to envision a situation where his owners would decline the invitation.

If Went the Day Well and jockey John Velazquez ride at the Preakness, it would be unlikely that the tandem would improve on their finish at the the Derby.

The horse started so poorly and looked lackluster up until the last turn. Anything other than a mid-pack finish for Went the Day Well would be a mild surprise.  

Dullahan Hopes for More Space at Preakness

Dullahan and jockey Kent Desormeaux were unable to find space at the Derby.
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Dullahan put up a wild charge late at the Derby, but the horse trained by Dale Romans came up short and finished third.

Jockey Kent Desormeaux was unable to find running room and was forced out wide. His horse was unable to make up the ground on the top two, but Dullahan still looked impressive closing out the race.

On another day, Dullahan could have easily won the Derby. Desormeaux's inability to find a way through the pack ultimately cost them at the end.

The Preakness should be kinder for both horse and rider. The field will be thinned out and Dullahan has the speed to win.

It would not be surprising if Dullahan is near the front of the pack at the closing stages of the Preakness. He will be one of the favorites, and with good reason.    

I'll Have Another, but Not at the Preakness

I'll Have Another surprised many at the Kentucky Derby.
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I'll Have Another was a good story at the Kentucky Derby. Horse and jockey Mario Gutierrez came out of nowhere to catch Bodemeister and win their first Derby.

Unfortunately, this was most likely a one-off performance, and I'll Have Another will probably fizzle out at the Preakness Stakes.

David Daniels explains why you should not get your Tripe Crown hopes up.  

There will be way too much speed in the field at the Preakness for I'll Have Another to spring another surprise. The horse was simply in the right place at the right time.

Bodemeister flamed out too early and Dullahan did not have sufficient time to close the race. If the race ended in another one-eighth of a mile in either direction, Gutierrez would not be celebrating his first Derby win.

The Preakness will be cruel to I'll Have Another, and he will most likely finish near the back of the field. 

Bodemeister: The Most Likely Preakness Stakes Winner

Bodemeister let his big lead slip away late.
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There was something sad yet rewarding about Bodemeister being caught from behind in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. 

Like the guy driving a sports car who wants to impress everyone else at a stop light, Bodemeister took off quickly and looked destined to never be seen again by the rest of the field.

However, like the guy driving the sports car who is embarrassed to find everyone has caught up with him at the next red light, jockey Mike Smith was left with egg on his face when he was unable to win.

That will not happen at the Preakness States. The shorter distance and quicker track favors Bodemeister, and he should be the odds-on favorite to win. 

Some of the quicker horses in the field will push him, but it would be an upset if Bodemeister did win the Preakness. His fantastic Kentucky Derby run went for nothing, but hopefully his day at Pimlico will fare much better.