Preakness 2012 Odds: Bodemeister and Favorites You Should Avoid

At the Kentucky Derby, I'll Have Another, a 16/1 long shot, came out victorious. Don't be surprised when that happens again at the Preakness.

Yes, I'll Have Another and Bodemeister are clear favorites and betting against them seems like the silly thing to do, but in horse racing, it's always smart to stay away from the favorites.

They aren't necessarily as reliable as their favorable odds would suggest, and nonetheless, the payoff from betting on these horses isn't worth it.

So let's take a look at what favorites you should stay away from.

Odds were taken from this Preakness preview.

Bodemeister (9/5)

After witnessing Bodemeister's impressive races at Kentucky and Arkansas, there's no question that he is the favorite to win at the Preakness, but 9/5 odds are simply terrible.

No matter what you're betting on, that's just not worth it, even if Bodemeister would have won at the Kentucky Derby.

But he didn't, and there's a good chance, especially if a horse moves him out to a fast early pace, that I'll Have Another will just stick behind the early leaders and make another comeback at the end. 

This is a super horse, but again, he just isn't worth it. 

I'll Have Another (5/2)

If you're making a trifecta bet or something like that, absolutely take I'll Have Another to win. Four of the last nine Kentucky Derby winners have went on to win the Preakness, so it's not like this would be an unexpected feat or anything like that. 

I'll Have Another is an extremely talented horse, and if you need evidence, just take another look at the Kentucky Derby:

It was an impressive late comeback, and just because Pimlico is a shorter track doesn't mean that he can't make a similar move against Bodemeister earlier on. To me, I'll Have Another is the clear favorite to win this race, yet he usually has the second-best odds.

That's something that should attract bettors.

Nonetheless, I'm not taking the risk. If you can find something like 4/1 or 5/1, go for it. With 5/2, however, stay away. 

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