Preakness 2012: Bodemeister Will Get Revenge on I'll Have Another

Horse racing fans are yearning for I'll Have Another to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown, but the chestnut colt's hopes will end at the hooves of Bodemeister on Saturday at Pimlico. 

I'll Have Another used a furious and rather historic rally to upend the mighty Bodemeister in the 2012 Kentucky Derby to win by one-and-a-half lengths at Churchill Downs. 

Despite the late-race collapse, oddsmakers aren't wavering in their confidence of the speedy colt. 

Oddsmaker Frank Carulli from Sporting News had this to say about Preakness Stakes, "If Bodemeister runs, I'm 100 percent sure he'll be the favorite. I can't see any scenario where that wouldn't happen."

Sure enough, Bodemeister is currently the 2/1 favorite, according to Daily Racing Forum .

Bodemeister's trainer Bob Baffert was quoted in an ESPN.com article discussing the horse's current state: 

"

After the race, I thought he'd be completely wiped out. He cooled out pretty quick and was eating his hay in front of his stall. I was afraid he was going to go into hibernation for about three days in the corner of his stall with his ears pinned, sulking. But he never did.

He's a pretty tough, amazing animal. His hair looks good. His weight looks good. Right now I don't see any reason not to take him.

"

Obviously, the horse's trainer, especially Baffert, is going to exude confidence in their horse, but there's another reason to believe Bodemeister will cruise to victory in Baltimore.

Tom Valledolmo of NewJerseyNewsRoom.com ran an interesting column citing Preakness trends and stated the following about the Pimlico track: 

"

First, and foremost, this race, unlike its two more prestigious partners -- the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes -- produces far fewer surprises. In fact, long shot winners in the Preakness are very much the exception rather than the rule.

Preakness is run over a speed-favoring strip at Pimlico which, historically, has made it difficult for horses which don’t have early, tactical speed. The usually lightning-fast surface and the track’s tight turns hinder the come-from-behind types, making it almost impossible for them to mount any serious rallies late in the game. 

"

That last paragraph doesn't bode well for I'll Have Another and plays into the strength of Bodemeister, who got out to a blistering start at the Kentucky Derby. 

Unless we're in for another stunner, all signs are pointing to Bodemeister winning this year's Run for the Black-Eyed Susans. 

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