Preakness Draw 2012: Contenders Who'll Benefit Most from Post Position

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes doesn't ride heavily with post position drawings.

The field at Pimlico is much smaller and caters to the stronger horses regardless of where they start. If given a favorable post, however, a dominant horse can run away with the Preakness.

I'll have another overcame tremendous odds to win at Churchill Downs—no horse had ever won out of the 19th post in the history of the "Run for the Roses."

Now he comes to Preakness where he'll be among the favorites, but is unlikely to be the favorite. He can close from just about anywhere, but if one of the speed demons draws a favorable post then it will cause him trouble.

Here's a look at the horses who stand to gain the most from a good draw.

Bodemeister

The Kentucky Derby runner-up nearly ran gate-to-wire for a win, but just ran out of gas coming down the stretch.

I'll Have Another had barely enough room to catch the impressive three-year-old colt, but he won't have that kind of room at Pimlico.

Bodemeister set ridiculous fractions at Churchill, pushing what some would consider a suicidal pace. The mere fact that he nearly held on for the win was incredible in it's own right and on a track 1/16 of a mile shorter, he's easily the favorite in this race.

If he draws a favorable post, he could dominate this field.

Creative Cause

A fifth-place finisher at the Derby, the three-year-old colt will be one of the favorites going into race day.

We've seen Creative Cause run just behind Bodemeister before reeling him in and beating him down the stretch at the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, and he could do it again here.

A good post makes him an even better shot to win.

Optimizer

This Derby runner couldn't find a break in the action to make a move at Churchill Downs. Fortunately for him, he'll join this race with a smaller field and should be able to maneuver much better.

The three-year-old colt hasn't fared too well this past year, but could make the most of a favorable post position on Saturday.

Jockey Corey Nakatani will have learned from his Derby ride.