Preakness Odds 2012: Best Bets from Entire Field

With the post positions and early odds set for the 2012 Preakness Stakes, it's time to look at the best bets in the field.

The post draw on Wednesday changed my outlook on the favorites tremendously. Former favorites received undesirable post positions while one dark horse jumped most of the field after the draw.

Here are my top three bets for the 2012 Preakness Stakes, complete with current odds (via Daily Racing Form). One may surprise you.

3. Tiger Walk (30-1)

Tiger Walk was one of my top dark horses headed into the post draw on Wednesday. Then he got the No. 1 post position, and he emerged as a true contender for me. In the past four years, the No. 1 post position has placed twice. This isn't the Kentucky Derby, folks. There are 11 horses instead of 20, so inside post position isn't necessarily a bad thing to have.

Tiger Walk has experience racing with the big boys and has three top-four finishes to show for it in 2012. Granted, he hasn't won yet, but he did just pick up two-time Preakness winning jockey Kent Desormeaux. He has a shot at shocking the world. 

2. Went the Day Well (6-1)

Went the Day Well has two wins and two second-place finishes in six career starts. In 2012, he's won at Gulfstream Park and the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes. Beyond that, he's in the No. 5 post position where 2011 winner Shackleford started. 

1. Bodemeister (8-5) 

Not only did Bodemeister win the Arkansas Derby by nine-and-a-half lengths and place second at the Kentucky Derby this year, he was granted the desirable No. 7 post position. The No. 7 post has produced two of the last four Preakness winners. Bob Baffert's horse may have faltered down the stretch at Churchill Downs, but he faces a shorter distance at Pimlico, combined with an excellent post position.

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