Preakness 2012: Optimizer and Cozzetti Will Shock Fans at Pimlico

Last year, 12-1 Shackleford stunned the horse racing world when the colt won the 136th Preakness by a half a length over Kentucky Derby champion Animal Kingdom.

According to Tom Valledolmo of NewJerseyNewsRoom.com, Shackleford's was the first Preakness winner that paid double figures since Bernardini in 2006 ($27.80). In fact, all other winners dating back to 2001 paid out less than $8.81. 

In essence, the Preakness recently hasn't produced many surprises. 

However, we cannot forget about Shackleford's triumph in 2011.

Although they're not currently in the limelight, let's take a look at horses with similar odds this year, colts that have what it takes to shock fans at Pimlico once again. 

Cozzetti

Brisnet.com recently posted an article about this colt's readiness for Saturday's Preakness. The 20/1 Cozzetti ran "fractions of :11 3/5, :23 1/5, :34 4/5, :46 4/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 and seven-eighths in 1:27 2/5. The move was the best of 10 at the distance."

"It was a good five-eighths work," said trainer Dale Romans, who won the Preakness with Shackleford last year."

Because of Roman's past success at Pimlico, Cozzetti can't be ruled out of this year's race. 

Brisnet.com also notes Cozzetti's most recent race ended with a fourth-place finish to heavy favorite Bodemeister at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. 

His jockey Jose Lezcano won the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico last year. 

Optimizer 

According to the Washington Post, Optimizer's trainer D. Wayne Lukas has trained five Preakness winners in the past. 

After a disappointing 11th-place finish at the Kentucky Derby at 42-1 odds, Lukas expects a much better showing from his horse this time around. 

From the same Bisnet.com article, Lukas commented about his horse's most recent training session that resulted in a :49 4/5 half-time on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs. 

Optimizer clocked fractions of :13 1/5, :25 3/5 and :37 3/5.

""Every 10 years, they get it right. That was perfect," trainer D. Wayne Lukas said of the move that was the 14th fastest of 25 at the distance."

Optimizer had 12-1 odds at the beginning of the week, but is currently listed at 30-1. 

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