2012 Preakness Post Positions: Where Do the Favorites Stand?

With the 2012 Preakness just around the corner, the full-fledged horse-by-horse breakdown is underway. Horses, jockeys, trainers and post positions will be scrutinized in every which way.

Poll positions matter at Pimlico as much as anywhere else, although the shorter track neutralizes some of its importance. 

All 11 horses' gates are set. 

Let's take a look at where the favorites stand.

I'll Have Another

Post Position: 9

I'll Have Another will try and match Funny Cide's Preakness success in 2003. Funny Cide won the Preakness Stakes from the ninth gate.

The ninth gate has not been kind to Preakness horses. Before Funny Cide, no horse had won from that position since 1971.

I'll Have Another is seeking the second piece of the Triple Crown puzzle. 

He will have his work cut out for him given his starting position and the notable group of horses around him.

Bodemeister

Post Position: 7

Bodemeister did not live up to the hype as the Kentucky Derby favorite, finishing second to I'll Have Another. 

The seventh gate has been kind to Big Brown and Lookin at Lucky in recent years. It should be kind to Bodemeister as well.

Bob Baffert is notorious for training genuine thoroughbreds. His horses are well prepared and ready for the largest stages. 

Bodemeister is favored in the Preakness for good reason.

Creative Cause

Post Position: 6

Creative Cause's gate number rings true with his 6-1 odds entering the Preakness Stakes. His fifth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby lands him in the thick of the favored horses.

The last horse to win from the sixth gate was Smarty Jones in 2004 and Charismatic before that in 1999. It has been reasonably kind to horses.

Creative Cause will have to fight to get into the middle of the pack, but his post position could certainly help.

Daddy Nose Best

Post Position: 8

The eighth gate has held two victorious horses since 2000. Daddy Nose Best will try and make it three.

Bernardini won from the eighth gate in 2006, and War Emblem stole the show in 2002. Daddy Nose Best is considered a favorite for a reason and could easily repeat their success. 

Daddy Nose Best disappointed many in the Kentucky Derby and will seek revenge in this year's Preakness.

Went the Day Well 

Post Position: 5

Went the Day Well has a dreadful starting spot. He will try and be the first horse to win out of the fifth gate since Elocutionist in 1976.

Went the Day Well finished very strong in the Kentucky Derby but came up just short. He will need a faster start at Pimlico if he wants to have a chance. 

Went the Day Well is an extremely strong horse with a strong racing career thus far. 

A Preakness victory would be the crown jewel.