Preakness 2012: Which Jockeys Give Their Horse an Edge?

Jockeys don't often get the credit they deserve for riding their horse to victory. The 2012 Preakness Stakes features some of the best thoroughbreds in the sport of horse racing, but the people who guide them to their ultimate goal play a pivotal role in the outcome of the race. 

Bookies will set odds a lot of the time based on who is riding the horse, as well as the track record of success for the jockey in a similar race. 

When you are going through the list of thoroughbreds running in the Preakness on Saturday, debating which one is going to take the second leg of the Triple Crown, keep these jockeys in mind. 

Mario Gutierrez (I'll Have Another)

What better place to start than with the horse and jockey tandem that shocked the world two weeks ago at Churchill Downs?

Gutierrez is just 25 years old and he led I'll Have Another to victory in his first Kentucky Derby, but it is hardly the only feather in this emerging star's cap.

He has also won the Santa Anita Derby and Robert B. Lewis Stakes, all on the back of I'll Have Another. Gutierrez has quickly established a comfort level with this horse, and it is showing in his results. 

Instead of pushing Another hard right out of the gate, Gutierrez knows that he can take it easy before making the final push. He doesn't try to act too aggressive or wait back too long before unleashing the beast on the rest of the world. 

Mike Smith (Bodemeister)

If it weren't for Gutierrez and I'll Have Another, Smith would still be celebrating his second Kentucky Derby victory. 

As it stands, Smith and Bodemeister have devoted the last two weeks to making sure that another collapse down the stretch doesn't happen. In a lot of ways, the end of the Derby was good for Smith and Bodemeister. 

Smith tried to use Bodemeister's energy in the middle of the race to get out to a commanding lead, hoping it would be good enough to allow him to coast at the end. It did not work out, but Smith learned a lot more about his horse in defeat on that day. 

Joel Rosario (Creative Cause)

Rosario has had the best overall year of the three jockeys on this list. He is currently sixth in the North American Racing Leaders, according to BloodHorse.com. 

In addition to that individual success, Rosario led Creative Cause to a fifth-place finish at the Kentucky Derby. That was right in line with where he lined up with 12-1 odds. 

The biggest difference between that race and the Preakness is the distance. Creative Cause is built for shorter tracks, so he can use his speed early without having to worry about fading down the stretch. 

Rosario couldn't handle that at Churchill Downs, but Pimlico runs much differently than that track. Don't be shocked to see Rosario at the top of the leaderboard on race day. 

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