Preakness Stakes 2012: Ranking Every Horse in the Field

If you’re not first…second or third, you’re last.

In the Triple Crown, the first horse to cross the finish line isn’t the only one that wins. Out of the 11 thoroughbreds running in the 2012 Preakness Stakes, here’s the order that they’ll finish in and who’ll be heading to the winner’s circle (poll positions and odds via Preakness.com).

11. Pretension (No. 3, 30-1)

In each of his first five starts, Pretension managed to finish in first or second place. In the Grade 3 Gotham and Illinois Derbys, though, he got smoked finishing fifth and ninth.

10. Tiger Walk (No. 1, 30-1)

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank wants to breed the next Triple Crown winner. More power to him, but it definitely won’t be with Tiger Walk, who is 2-5 lifetime in his seven races.

9. Optimizer (No. 10, 30-1)

Earlier this month in the Kentucky Derby, Optimizer finished in 11th place. One of the few things that he has going for him is that Churchill Downs participants have a history of beating new shooters.

8. Cozzetti (No. 11, 30-1)

Cozzetti’s record isn’t anything to write home about, but his trainer Dale Romans’ is. Romans has had a horse finish in the top five in the last seven Triple Crown races.

7. Teeth of the Dog (No. 2, 15-1)

I’ll be rooting for Teeth of the Dog on Saturday because of his awesome name, but both of our days will end in disappointment. He’s simply too inexperienced having participated in just four races winning one of them.

6. Daddy Nose Best (No. 8, 12-1)

Daddy Nose Best didn’t have much luck at the Kentucky Derby finishing in 10th place. Still, it’s an experienced horse and won three out of its previous four before its Derby disaster.

5. Zetterholm (No. 4, 20-1)

After a poor start to his racing career, Zetterholm has caught fire. He finished first in his last three races and the one before that, he finished second.

4. Went the Day Well (No. 5, 6-1)

After winning two straight races heading into the Kentucky Derby, Went the Day Well finished fourth at Churchill Downs. His trainer, Graham Motion, won the Derby with Animal Kingdom last year.

3. Creative Cause (No. 6, 6-1)

In nine career races, Creative Cause finished worse than third just once—two weeks ago at the Kentucky Derby. It’d be a shocker if he doesn’t challenge the leaders in this one.

2. I’ll Have Another (No. 9, 5-2)

I’ll Have Another has his eyes on the Triple Crown, but he’ll first have to knock off the favorite in the Preakness. With four victories in six career starts, one has to wonder why he went so far under the radar prior to the Kentucky Derby.

1. Bodemeister (No. 7, 8-5)

Bodemeister has never finished worse than second in his life. The horse’s incredible top-end speed makes it the obvious favorite heading into the 137rd running of the Preakness.

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

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