2012 Preakness Post Positions: Bodemeister Primed to Bounce Back

Bodemeister is too fast to lose twice.

The big-name thoroughbred ran out of gas at the Kentucky Derby. But I’ll Have Another and the rest of the field won’t pull off another miraculous comeback against Bodemeister in the Preakness Stakes.

When post positions are drawn on Wednesday afternoon, expect Bodemeister to be favored head and shoulders above the competition.

Question marks of whether or not the horse would be good to go for the second leg of the Triple Crown have surrounded him since his disappointing finish at Churchill Downs. All doubt was doused as trainer Bob Baffert believes his project is primed to race again.

According to Alicia Wincze Hughes of the Kansas City Star, Baffert said of Bodemeister and the decision to bring him to Pimlico:

"

 He’s been in, but I just wanted to see for myself. He looks great; he looks healthy. We still have until Wednesday morning to change our minds, but what I've been hearing from Jimmy (assistant Barnes) and the exercise riders, it looks like he bounced out of the race pretty well.

"

The trainer continued to rave about the horse’s rapid recovery:

"

After the race, I thought he'd be completely wiped out. I was afraid he was going to go into hibernation for about three days in the corner of his stall with his ears pinned, sulking. But he never did. He’s a pretty tough, amazing animal. Right now I don't see any reason not to take him.

"

But those aren’t simply the blind words of a biased trainer.

According to SportingNews’ Brad Telias, oddsmaker Frank Carulli said, “If Bodemeister runs, I’m 100 percent sure he’ll be the favorite. I can’t see any scenario where that wouldn't happen.”

The horse displayed superior top-end speed until the final stretch of the Kentucky Derby. It wouldn’t be wise to bet against Bodemeister coming up short in two consecutive races.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow @TheRealDDaniels