Kentucky Derby 2012 Video: 2nd Place Ride Sets Up Bodemeister for Preakness Win

Bodemeister fell just short of winning the 138th Kentucky Derby, but he showed us something in the process.

I'll Have Another had just enough kick to catch him down the stretch at Churchill Downs, but the speed with which Bodemeister ran for the majority of the race was beyond impressive.

His fractions were incredible, as Ray Kerrison of the New York Post writes:

"

On Saturday, Bodemeister whistled by the six furlongs in 1:09.8. That’s brutal. Crazy. Bodemeister was running faster than four of the greatest horses of the 20th century, including three Triple Crown winners. That he lost under those conditions should surprise nobody; that he held on for second was stunning.

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Stunning is the best word for it.

Talking about races past does no good though, not with the Preakness just under two weeks away. If Bodemeister is entered in the 137th running of the classic race at Pimlico, he'll be one of the favorites—if not the favorite—to win the race.

The Preakness is one-sixteenth of a mile shorter than the Derby, meaning Bodemeister could potentially set another ridiculous pace this time and actually hold on for the win.

The horse is an impressive specimen, a gifted athlete with otherworldly speed and stamina.

I'll Have Another had just enough track to chase him down, but he would run out of track if it were at Pimlico.

It remains to be seen if Bodemeister has another awe-inspiring run in him. In fact, it remains to be seen if he'll even run in the race. 

The colt has run five times already this year, and we're only five months into 2012. The way he runs, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see trainer Bob Baffert rest him.

However, if he does make his way down to Maryland, don't be surprised if he goes gate-to-wire for the win.