Preakness 2012 Odds: Best Post Positions Worth Betting on

The 2012 Preakness Stakes draw put a lot of great horses into solid post positions. The odds clearly changed from before it happened on Wednesday night to after.

If you are wondering why certain horses drastically moved after the draw, it’s because the starting position truly matters. For example, had Bodemeister been given a better gate for his skills at the 2012 Kentucky Derby, he would likely have destroyed the competition. Instead, he drew a post too near to the rail and had Trinniberg riding up on him the entire time. He whizzed through six furlongs at a historic pace, but he eventually faltered down the stretch and let I’ll Have Another win.

While the Triple Crown race at Pimlico has a smaller field than the 20-horse one at Churchill Downs, post position still is a major factor in the odds and in who will win.

Let’s take a look at some recent history to see which horses won and where they started.

As you can see in the graph, the Nos. 4, 6 and 7 stalls are the most coveted. Going back two years to 1990 and 1989 will reveal two more winners from the No. 7 PP as well.

The No. 2 position has produced no winners over the same time period. No. 5 did not have a winner until last year, when Shackleford took down the Preakness Stakes. While that may have more to do with coincidence than skill, it’s something that cannot be ignored.

Make sure you factor in the post positions before placing your bets, and definitely consider the No. 6 and 7 horses because of the evidence.