Preakness 2012: Opening Odds for Every Horse in the Field

The 137th Preakness Stakes is one day away. Post positions have been announced, odds are being analyzed and trainers are giving their prized horses one last run of preparation. 

I'll Have Another is considered the odds-on favorite at this point following his unlikely victory in the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Bodemeister, the Derby favorite, is considered the top contender at Pimlico.

Let's take a look at each horse's opening odds as we prepare for the second leg of this year's Triple Crown races.

*Odds courtesy of preakness.com.

Tiger Walk

Post Position: 1

Odds: 30-1

Tiger Walk is a major underdog in this year's Preakness, and for good reason. 

He has raced in three races this year and managed just one third-place finish. He is not used to the big stage and will fall into obscurity among the race's favorites. 

Teeth of the Dog

Post Position: 2

Odds: 15-1

Teeth of the Dog has finished in all three races he has participated in this year. He is considered a long shot in this year's Preakness but could surprise people come race time. 

In Teeth of the Dog's four career races, he has never finished lower than third. 

A shorter track will allow a long shot the chance to have one epic sprint. 

Don't be surprised if Teeth of the Dog is that long shot.

Pretension

Post Position: 3

Odds: 30-1

Pretension is among the longest of the long shots despite his favorable post position. 

Pretension has had a busy racing season. He has raced five times this year, finishing first in two of those contests. 

Pretension will not be at the front of the pack on Saturday.

Zetterholm

Post Position: 4: 

Odds: 20-1

Zetterholm could be a surprise horse in this year's Preakness.

He faces long-shot odds, but that did not stop I'll Have Another in the Kentucky Derby. 

Out of Zetterholm's four races this year, he finished first in three of them and second in the other. He has enjoyed very good success, and that should not be underestimated.

Went the Day Well

Post Position: 5

Odds: 6-1

Went the Day Well closed the Kentucky Derby with a great final stretch. His sprinting down the back stretch grabbed him a fourth-place finish.

His 6-1 odds puts him in the group of horses under the spotlight on Saturday. 

Went the Day Well is a major threat to Bodemeister and I'll Have Another.

Creative Cause

Post Position: 6

Odds: 6-1

Creative Cause finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby. His solid finish makes him a favorite entering this weekend's race. 

Creative Cause has finished third or better in all but one of his races this year. 

He is a fast horse with limited endurance. Lucky for him, endurance does not matter as much on Pimlico's track.

Bodemeister

Post Position: 7

Odds: 8-5

Bodemeister was the odds-on favorite to vie for this year's Triple Crown. After his second-place finish at Kentucky Oaks, he enters the Preakness as the top contender to I'll Have Another. 

Bodemeister should probably be the favorite despite his historically bad post position. 

The shorter track will not give other horses time to chase him down, like we saw I'll Have Another do in the Kentucky Derby.

Daddy Nose Best

Post Position: 8

Odds: 5-1

Daddy Nose Best has raced in three races this year and finished first twice. He is considered a favorite for this year's Preakness Stakes. 

He disappointed with a 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, but the short track at Pimlico will benefit his quick bursting style. 

I'll Have Another

Post Position: 9

Odds: 5-2

I'll Have Another is the favorite entering tomorrow's race. He won the Kentucky Derby and is looking to add the second piece of the Triple Crown races to his resume. 

I'll Have Another used a classic closing stretch to chase down Bodemeister at Kentucky Oaks. Pimlico's shorter track will not present that opportunity.

Triple Crown hopes trump everything in major horse races. I'll Have Another's odds showcase that.

Optimizer

Post Position: 10

Odds: 30-1

Optimizer has had a long year. The colt has raced five races this year and managed one second-place finish. 

Optimizer is a long shot in this year's Preakness, but he has had a solid career. He has raced in 10 career races and finished third or better four times. 

Long shots can emerge with a strong sprint on Pimlico's short course.

Cozzetti

Post Position: 11

Odds: 30-1

Cozzetti adds to the long list of Preakness long shots. 

He only finished third once in his three races this year, and he has one first-place finish out of his seven career races. 

Cozzetti has a historically bad post position and will not climb out its shadow.