2012 Preakness Post Positions: Horses with Best Chance to Buck Historical Trends

It generally proves beneficial to examine the history of the Preakness Stakes when making your bets, but that doesn't mean some horses in historically poor post positions can't make a run at victory.

Dating back to 2002, six post positions have never placed in fields of more than 10 horses: No. 4, No. 6, No. 8, No. 9, No. 10 and No. 14 (when applicable). With 11 horses in the 2012 field, this is definitely worth considering.

But if you have a strong feeling about a horse, whether it be his racing or his workouts, it's hard to completely discount him.

Here's a look at three horses who could buck historical trends at Pimlico, complete with post positions and odds (via official Preakness site).

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

I was discouraged with Daddy Nose Best's 10th-place finish at the Kentucky Derby, but he did win his prior two races in 2012. He's a huge longshot, especially because he's sandwiched in between favorite Bodemeister and I'll Have Another, but he did race well before the Derby. 

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

Creative Cause had placed in eight career starts before the Kentucky Derby this year, but he still finished fifth at Churchill Downs. He has four wins on his resume, including at victory in the San Felipe Stakes this March.

I like this horse a lot. Unfortunately, he's sandwiched in between two strong horses in Went the Day Well and Bodemeister in the historically-poor No. 6 slot.

1. I'll Have Another (No. 9, 5-2)

After what I'll Have Another did at the Kentucky Derby, closing in on Bodemeister and winning by 1 1/2 lengths, you have to give him a shot, but his 5-2 odds are way too high considering he's in the No. 9 slot and outside of Daddy Nose Best, Bodemeister, Creative Cause and Went the Day Well.

I don't like his chances to win the second leg of the Triple Crown, and I think Bodemeister will emerge the victor on Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about horse racing together.