Preakness 2012 Horses: Major Longshots to Steer Clear of

The 137th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Track is going to have plenty of long shots worth taking a look at—but that doesn’t mean all of them are created equal.

While there isn’t an exact science to picking a long shot, here are three that won’t be sniffing the finish line in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

(Odds courtesy of VegasInsider.com.)

Teeth of the Dog: 15/1

While you may be excited about the fact Michael Matz is the trainer (won 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro), I’m terrified by the fact he didn’t start racing competitively until December at Gulfstream. He only finished third there and enters the Preakness with a 4-1-1-2 record.

The lack of experience was the main issue for Bodemeister, who was clearly the best racer in the Kentucky Derby field. Teeth of the Dog is not as gifted as Bodemeister.

It would be a small miracle for this colt to go home with the win.

Cozzetti: 30/1

The Albaugh Family Stables own a horse that has never shown us much of anything.

He finished third at the Tampa Bay Derby and fourth at the Arkansas Derby. Does this sound like the sort of results that will net a win at a Triple Crown race?

With poor opening speed out of the gate, expect this colt to get stuck in the back of the pack from the beginning.

Pretension: 30/1

How in the world does a horse that finished in ninth place at the Illinois Derby and fifth place at the Gotham get in this race?

I don’t understand why this colt is in the race, and anybody that bets on him is essentially giving the oddsmakers their money without putting up a fight.

His odds are likely going to get better as race day approaches because he’s the hometown favorite, but don’t let that fool you; there is no reason to back a colt with poor closing speed like Pretension.  

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