2012 Preakness Stakes: If Bodemeister Sits Out, Preakness Will Be in Trouble

The 2012 Preakness Stakes is still more than a week away, but as things start shaping up the way I think they are, I believe this could be the most ho-hum race we've seen in the Triple Crown over the last 10 years.

Currently, Union Rags will be sitting out of the race, according to bloodhorse.com.

And now, Bodemeister could possibly sit out of the Preakness Stakes as well, after trainer Bob Baffert said he would wait to see if the horse "shows me a spark," according to The New York Times.

If this happens, two would-be favorites in the race wouldn't be racing, setting up a race that won't bring much excitement.

If Bodemeister does race, then Trinniberg will be sitting out of the race.

The loss of Trinniberg wouldn't be that big of a deal. However, if Bodemeister is out of the field, then the Preakness is in some serious trouble.

Of course, the major storyline will be I'll Have Another and if he can win the second leg of the Triple Crown.

After that, the big storyline is going to be which horses were kept out of the race by their trainers.

When I think of Triple Crown races, I think of the best three-year-olds racing to win one of the premier races in the country.

And, this year, no Bodemeister means the excitement is gone.

When it came to the Kentucky Derby, Bodemeister provided excitement for the whole race as he kept up with Trinniberg at the beginning of the race, taking the lead before losing out at the end when I'll Have Another had just a little more gas to win the race.

Now, I have no problem if Bob Baffert wants to make a run at the Belmont Stakes, saving the horse, but what's the Belmont's gain will be the Preakness' loss.

As a horse racing fan, my wish would be that the 14 best horses are in the field.

However, I realize that's not going to happen.

Call me crazy, but I believe Bodemeister is the X-factor that will make or break the Preakness Stakes.

If he races, the ratings will be as expected.

If he doesn't, we could possibly see one of the lowest rated Preakness' in the last 10 years.