Preakness Predictions 2012: Where Long Shots Will Finish

Underdogs are underdogs for a reason.

If a horse not named Bodemeister, I’ll Have Another, Creative Cause or Went the Day Well wins the 2012 Preakness Stakes, it’d be a shocker. Here’s where the race’s long shots will actually finish (post positions and odds via Preakness.com).

Pretension (No. 3, 30-1)

Pretension has had a roller-coaster ride of a career. He’s coming off a win…so expect another loss. The thoroughbred finished ninth in a race in April and fifth in March.

Where He’ll Finish: Bottom 5

Tiger Walk (No. 1, 30-1)

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank’s horse Tiger Walk has two career wins—the same amount as the Maryland football team had last year (sorry, I had to).

Where He’ll Finish: Bottom 5

Optimizer (No. 10, 30-1)

Optimizer only has one career win, but don’t tell that to his trainer. D. Wayne Lukas was pumped after hearing the horse’s post position (h/t msnbc.msn.com):

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“It’s great. I really like it. For the first time in about four years, I really like it. I’m very comfortable with that spot. Bodemeister, Daddy Nose Best and I’ll Have Another are all going to tighten up. I’m sitting out there and absolutely love it.”

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Where He’ll Finish: Bottom 5

Cozzetti (No. 11, 30-1)

Cozzetti boasts a phenomenal trainer in Dale Romans. The horse is still an incredible underdog, though, with just one win in seven career races.

Where He’ll Finish: Bottom 5

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

Teeth of the Dog isn’t fast enough to bite into any of the Preakness favorites. While the horse never finished worse than third, he’s only won once.

Where He’ll Finish: Bottom 5

Daddy Nose Best (No. 8, 12-1)

Daddy Nose Best finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby, but his assistant trainer Scott Blasi is confident that he’ll be able to bounce back.

At Wednesday's post position draw (h/t msnbc.msn.com), Blasi said “He came out of the Derby great, or we wouldn’t be here. We thought he trained super into the Derby, and he deserves another chance off of what he’s done.”

Where He’ll Finish: Middle of the Pack

Zetterholm (No. 4, 20-1)

Remember the name: Zetterholm. If any underdog manages to sneak into the winner’s circle, it’ll be him. The horse has won three straight races going into the weekend.

Where He’ll Finish: Top 5

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

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