Preakness 2012 Odds: Best Horses No One Is Talking About

We have already seen one upset this Triple Crown season, with I'll Have Another coming out of nowhere to win the Kentucky Derby. While Another will not sneak up on anyone at the Preakness Stakes, there are plenty of quality thoroughbreds who aren't getting enough love. 

Betting odds on a horse race are a fascinating thing. Most of the time we don't see these horses on the same track against each other, so it is hard to get a proper gauge on how well they actually stack up in comparison to their most direct competition. 

Plus, every track is different; they run different, are laid out different and horses have various strengths that may not play well at, for example, Churchill Downs or Pimlico Race Track. 

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the underrated horses heading into the Preakness Stakes. 

Guyana Star Dweej (25-1 Odds)

One of the best value bets at the Preakness is Guyana Star Dweej, who has started to come into his own after two disappointing finishes at the end of 2011. 

Dweej has gone through six jockeys since last November, which likely contributed to long odds, but five straight races finishing first or second should be enough to tell the oddsmakers that something has changed with this horse. 

This horse is a great finisher, which does put it at a disadvantage at Pimlico. This track runs fast, so horses have to get out of the gate strong, but because he is so strong and has great stamina, he can make up time on the final stretch. 

Isn't He Clever (15-1 Odds)

Isn't He Clever skipped the Kentucky Derby for the sole purpose of preparing for the shorter, faster Preakness Stakes. This is what his trainers have been building for, and he needs to make up for an eighth-place finish at the Arkansas Derby. 

Given Clever's track record of success prior to that event in April, I would not be concerned about his chances of contending at the Preakness. 

As long as Clever doesn't try to do too much early, he is going to be right with the pack at the end. His style doesn't work well at a longer race like the Kentucky Derby, but Pimlico is the perfect race for him. 

Pretension (20-1 Odds)

No horse has seen his stock spiral out of control like Pretension. After three races in December, January and February that saw him finish second, second and first, the thoroughbred has finished fifth and ninth in his last two races. 

Given that he was running races in such close proximity, I am going to attribute some of Pretension's problems to fatigue. He hasn't run a race since April 7, which will give him six weeks to get his legs back under him. 

Pretension still has the strong potential that made him one of the horses to watch at the start of the year. He just has to prove that he is able to move beyond those struggles that have plagued him in recent races. 

*Odds courtesy of All Horse Racing

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