2012 Preakness Favorites: I'll Have Another Isn't Worthy of Status

As expected, it's not surprising to see I'll Have Another receive a lot of attention heading into the Preakness Stakes later in May.

After all, winning the Kentucky Derby is quite an accomplishment as it sets up the opportunity to win the Triple Crown, which hasn't happened since 1978.

In addition to the Kentucky Derby this year, though, I'll Have Another posted two other wins at the Santa Anita Derby and the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.

That's two impressive prep wins before Kentucky and the momentum has been established for the Preakness. Still, let's play devil's advocate here because we know the odds are stacked against I'll Have Another winning the Triple Crown.

So, let's look at some reasons why the 2012 Kentucky Derby champ isn't worthy of his current status.

Preakness History

Despite having 3/1 odds according to GoHorseBetting.com, I'll Have Another has recent history against him. 2008 was the last year a horse won Preakness after winning in Kentucky (Big Brown) and before that, the previous winner of the first two was Smarty Jones in 2004.

Now, Jones was the last of a brief era where, from 1997 through 2004, the Kentucky winner won the Preakness six times in that eight-year span.

However, prior to 1997, the Preakness was not kind at all to the Churchill Downs champion.

Only four times from 1979 to 1996 had a horse won the first two races of the Triple Crown (1979, 1981, 1987, 1989) and each obviously failed to complete the cycle at Belmont Park.

Inexperience

I'll Have Another has a record of just 6-4-1 and his jockey, Mario Gutierrez, is only 25 years old.

Clearly the horse and jockey have a lot of experience to gain, as other famous jockeys like Calvin Borel and Kent Desormeaux are among the savvy veterans.

With all the attention that's coming with winning at Churchill Downs, it'll be interesting to see how Gutierrez and I'll Have Another keep the confidence rolling.

This is undoubtedly one damn impressive beginning for the duo and even a strong showing at the Preakness would be worthwhile.

The good news is regardless of what happens at Pimlico, they are gaining the experience for future races.

Competition

Along with I'll Have Another, Bodemeister has the same odds of winning and has an experienced advantage with Bob Baffert as the trainer and another veteran jockey in Mike Smith on board.

The mere presence of Bodemeister immediately creates what feels to be the beginning of a rivalry. In addition, other solid competition comes from Went the Day Well and Creative Cause, who finished fourth and fifth in Kentucky, respectively.

Went the Day Well also has an experienced jockey in John Velazquez, while Creative Cause's jockey, Joel Rosario, has seen more overall success than Gutierrez with almost 1,000 wins, despite being younger.

That's three competitors from Churchill Downs who finished in the top five along with I'll Have Another, so you can count on an even more intense race in Baltimore.