2012 Preakness Favorites: Horses That'll Give Bodemeister Company at Finish Line

Talent doesn’t directly translate to triumph in horse racing.

Despite running out of gas in the Kentucky Derby, Bodemeister enters the 2012 Preakness Stakes as the favorite. But if the thoroughbred manages to choke again, these are the horses that will be on his heels ready to knock him off (odds via preakness-stakes.info).

5. Daddy Nose Best (plus-1500)

Whoever “daddy” is, and whether he had the best nose or not, he couldn’t sniff Daddy Nose Best at the finish line as Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another battled for first place. The horse finished 10th at Churchill Downs. But even with that poor finish, he’s still considered one of the top contenders for Saturday’s race.

4. Teeth of the Dog (plus-1500)

If a horse’s name meant anything, Teeth of the Dog would be the favorite head and shoulders above the rest. But besides boasting the most awesome name out of all the Preakness participants, the horse beat Went The Day Well in a race back in February.

3. Went The Day Well (plus-600)

If his trainer is content with mediocrity, Went The Day Well’s day went well (say that 10 times fast) at this year’s Kentucky Derby. The horse finished in fourth place after starting in the 13th post. Churchill Downs participants traditionally have an edge in the Preakness, so that’s why he is projected to finish among the fastest once again.

2. Creative Cause (plus-600)

Creative Cause finished just behind Went The Day Well, settling for fifth place in the Derby. He should still be the higher-rated horse, though. In every one of his previous races, Creative Cause finished in the top three.

1. I’ll Have Another (plus-250)

Technically, I’ll Have Another’s odds of winning the second leg of the Triple Crown are equal to Bodemeister, but for some reason, he’s still being considered an underdog to defeat him again. If the horse pulls off another miraculous finish, don’t be shocked. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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