Preakness 2012 Horses: Best Longshot Contenders to Bet on

As expected, I'll Have Another is the favorite to win the Preakness Stakes after taking the Kentucky Derby earlier this month.

Well when it comes to betting (regardless of sport), we can never discount the odds of the underdogs. Here, we see a few horses with low odds but a real shot at winning courtesy of momentum, confidence and/or an experienced jockey leading the way.

Full view of Preakness pole positions and odds.

Cozzetti, 30/1, Post 11

In Cozzetti's previous seven races, he has only finished lower than fifth-place one time, but has just one victory to three fourth-place finishes dating back to 2011.

The good news is that jockey Jose Lezcano has two Breeders' Cup wins and has been consistently climbing the rankings every year. Lezcano also enters the Preakness with good momentum after having won the Florida Oaks earlier this year.

The odds given to Cozzetti with Lezcano riding were good, but the potential of this combo's A-game is dangerous to the top competitors.

Optimizer, 30/1, Post 10

For 2012, Optimizer has finished inside the top five only once (second at Oakland Park) and disappointed in Kentucky taking eleventh with 50-to-1 odds.

The good news about Pimlico however, is jockey Corey Nakatani who has compiled more than 3,000 wins and has nine Breeders' Cup victories to his credit. After a strong get off at Churchill Downs though, Optimizer fell back later on.

Courtesy of the shorter track in Baltimore and an experienced jockey with solid success on bigger stages, Optimizer is flying under the radar. Plus, he's long overdue for a win/victory so the probable odds favor this combo as well.

Tiger Walk, 30/1, Post 1

Tiger Walk is simply due for a win. He has yet to take first place in 2012 and third-place was the highest finish so far this year.

With that said, Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux will have to use that experience to bring home the victory. Desormeaux has over 5,000 career wins with 10 in the Breeders' Cup and four at the international stage.

The man has won twice at the Preakness (1998, 2008) and 2008 was also the most recent year that a horse won the first two legs of the Triple Crown. History is on Tiger Walk's side with Desmoreaux on board, so the 30-to-1 odds only make this combo a sleeping giant.