Preakness 2012 Odds: Cozzetti Will Prove to Be Ultimate Underdog

Never count out a Dale Romans horse.

The trainer has an instinctual knowledge of how to succeed in the Triple Crown. Cozzetti is the horse that he’s entering the in 2012 Preakness Stakes and despite the odds against the horse, betting in opposition to Romans is always dangerous.

In the past seven Triple Crown races, Romans has had a horse that he trained finish in the top five. This past Kentucky Derby, it was Dullahan finishing in third and in last year’s Preakness, his thoroughbred Shackleford ended Animal Kingdom’s Triple Crown hopes.

Cozzetti will enter the race as a major underdog. In the last 40 years, only seven horses that didn’t participate in the Kentucky Derby managed to win the Preakness. Cozzetti didn’t run at Churchill Downs.

Oddsmakers have him at 20/1 to take home the win (via AllHorseRacing.com). But again, it’s difficult to bet against Roman’s streak.

According to Jennie Rees of The Courier-Journal, exercise rider Tammy Fox spoke about Cozzetti going into the Preakness:

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He’s never really shown what he does in the morning. He hasn’t figured it out yet, I don’t think. His last race was a good race, but it always seemed like there’s more to him than what he puts out in a race. So maybe he’s waking up. I was impressed with the way he did everything. He’s older and has a stronger feeling underneath me. It would be a good time to be figuring it out.

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The Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee reported Romans believes that despite Cozzetti having yet to blow up, the horse’s upside is unmatched. The trainer said, “One day he’s going to wake up and run lights out. He’s a really talented colt and he’s been showing signs of turning the corner.”

If he wakes up this Saturday, Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another will be left in the dust.

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

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