2012 Preakness Post Positions: Which Horses Drew Best in Small Field?

There will only be 11 horses in the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes.

The second leg of the Triple Crown field at Pimlico is always smaller than the madness of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and thus typically dominated by the better horses.

Anything is possible, but the Run for the Roses is a bloody free-for-all compared to the Preakness. Post positions aren't as crucial here, but if a good horse draws well, he could potentially run away with the race.

Here's a look at which horses drew the best this year and what it means for their chances of winning.

Bodemeister

The Derby runner-up will break from the No. 7 post, far away from the rail and just outside of contenders Went the Day Well and Creative Cause.

Like Shackleford did a year ago, Bodemeister is a legitimate threat to go gate-to-wire for a win here at Pimlico on Saturday.

After sharing the top spot with Derby winner I'll Have Another, the Bob Baffert-trained horse moved to the head of field and is currently sporting 8-5 odds, according to Sportsbook.com.

That jump can be directly linked to his post draw on Wednesday night and jockey Mike Smith should have plenty of room to do as he pleases.

I'll Have Another

A close second behind Bodemeister at 5-2 in the odds, the Derby champ is fortunate enough to break from the No. 9 post—just far enough away not get caught up in the early speed, but close enough to stalk Bodemeister.

With Mario Gutierrez back in the saddle, this three-year-old colt shouldn't feel too much pressure running for the second leg of the Triple Crown and should have his way with this entire field.

Except for Bodemeister.

The jockey has to keep Bodemeister a bit closer here at Pimlico because the Preakness runs one-sixteenth of a mile shorter than the Derby and Churchill Downs. 

I'll Have Another can't let Bodemeister get too far ahead or he'll run out of track down the stretch.

Teeth of the Dog

Derby holdovers Creative Cause and Went the Day Well are better picks to win the race, but they'll both break from just inside Bodemeister and could see dirt kicked in their faces mighty early.

Teeth of the Dog will run from the No. 2 spot, just off the rail where Tiger Walk will start.

Fortunately, the Michael Matz-trained horse will have the experience of Joe Bravo in the saddle. No horse from between post No. 1 to No. 4 should give Teeth any trouble.

Bravo has to be smart, but he could run for a money spot from the No. 2 post quite easily. 

1 -- Tiger Walk
2 -- Teeth of the Dog 
3 -- Pretension
4 -- Zetterholm
5 -- Went the Day Well
6 -- Creative Cause
7 -- Bodemeister
8 -- Daddy Nose Best
9 -- I'll Have Another
10 -- Optimizer
11 -- Cozzetti