Preakness Draw 2012: Post Positions, Field and Race Preview

The 2012 Preakness Stakes is just around the corner, and a number of high-profile events will be taking place in the days leading up to the race.

Perhaps most important is the post-position draw, which occurred just hours ago. This determines the starting gate for each horse in the field and has a great impact on their chances of winning. It also changes the odds quite a bit.

Let’s take a look at which horses will be running for the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans and a prediction of how the race will go.

Post Positions

Post	Horse	Jockey	Odds
1.	Tiger Walk	K. Desormeaux	20-1
2.	Teeth of the Dog	J. Bravo	20-1
3.	Pretension	J. Santiago	25-1
4.	Zetterholm	J. Alvarado	20-1
5.	Went the Day Well	J. Velazquez	8-1
6.	Creative Cause	J. Rosario	8-1
7.	Bodemeister	M. Smith	3-1
8.	Daddy Nose Best	J. Leparoux	N/A
9.	I'll Have Another	M. Gutierrez	3-1
10.	Optimizer	C. Nakatani	12-1
11.	Cozzetti	J. Lezcano	20-1

*Post positions according to NJ.com

*Odds via VegasInsider.com

Horses to Watch and Prediction

Bodemeister

Bodemeister should have won the 2012 Kentucky Derby. This horse has the heart and speed to absolutely dominate, but got a rough draw in the 20-horse field at Churchill.

Instead of closing with a respectable time, Bodemeister ran out of gas down the stretch and was overtaken.

On the shorter Pimlico track, with less chance of someone pushing him from behind, Bodemeister should do great.

I’ll Have Another

Give this horse credit for doing something no other Kentucky Derby champion has done—win from the No. 19 starting spot.

However, luck was on his side, and he had the favorite nearly collapse before taking the lead at the tail end of the race.

I’ll Have Another will finish respectably, but he will not win.

Predicted Winner: Bodemeister

Nationally Televised Preakness Event Schedule

Fri.: Preakness Classics, 3-4 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

Fri.: Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, 4-5 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

Sat.: Live from Pimlico, 2:30-4:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

Sat.: Preakness Stakes, 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Sat.: Preakness Wrap-up, 6:30-7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network