Preakness 2012: Fast-Rising Contenders in Small Field

The 2012 Preakness Stakes will have just over half the number of horses as the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

While 138th Run for the Roses was a wild adventure, the 137th running of Preakness should hold much less drama.

A shorter track, two dominant favorites, and more than a few questionable horses means we may get a chance to see a legitimate run at the Triple Crown.

Derby winner I'll Have Another will need to chase down Bodemeister again, but we know damn well he can actually do it.

Here's a look at a few other fast rising contenders in this race's small field.

Creative Cause

Another Derby leftover, Creative Cause finished fifth at Churchill Downs, but didn't run as well as he could.

According to Sportsbook.com, the three-year-old colt has the third best odds to win the race as of now at 6-1.

He'll be a factor in nearly every money bet as he actually defeated Bodemeister at the San Felipe Stakes earlier this year and will break from the No. 6 post just alongside him.

Went the Day Well

The fourth-place finisher at the Kentucky Derby is also going off at 6-1, and he'll rise higher come race day.

There is a lot to like about this three-year-old colt as he's always finished in the money and jockey Johnny Velazquez should have no problems breaking from the No. 5 post.

Daddy Nose Best

A disappointing 10th-place finish at the Kentucky Derby has put Daddy Nose Best back in the field and he currently sits with 15-1 odds.

The son of Scat Daddy has a ton of experience, but hasn't fared well in his last two G1 races. That said, in such a small field we'll see people jump on him because of name alone.

He shouldn't be hurt at all breaking No. 8 post just outside of Bodemeister.

Teeth of the Dog

One of the lesser-knowns in this field, this three-year-old colt is the son of Bluegrass Cat and a vastly inexperienced horse.

His first G1 race was the Wood Memorial and he wound up finishing third.

Landing in the No. 2 post doesn't help much, but jockey Kent Desormeaux can handle it.

He's currently going off at 15-1 and could easily move up the board by race day.