Preakness 2012 Odds: Top Horses You Should Take to the Bank

The 137th edition of the Preakness Stakes is very top heavy.

There are three horses that are the clear-cut favorites in a field shallow on talent.

Here are a few thoughts on the pre-race leaders in the clubhouse that are all worth a serious look to take home the victory in Baltimore this afternoon.

(Post positions and odds courtesy of nj.com)

Post 9: I’ll Have Another (5/2)

The Kentucky Derby winner was victorious because of the length of the track, plain and simple.

With a shorter run tomorrow at Pimlico, his lack of breakaway speed will be on full display. Sure the confidence of this colt is riding high but you can’t ignore history: since 1972, only one horse has won the Preakness starting from the ninth post, Funny Cide in 2003.

Yet it’s hard to take post position all that seriously in an 11-horse field and I’ll Have Another is a proven winner. While his odds may be a bit steep, betting on this colt is certainly not a horrible idea, but remember that history suggests looking elsewhere.

Post 7: Bodemeister (8/5)

The favorite to win the race is certainly the most talented.

He set the pace throughout the Derby before fading at the end. On this shorter track, his speed is going to shine and there is no question he is getting the best training available with Bob Baffert backing him.

There are a ton of reasons to like this horse and if you want to make the safe bet…go with Bodemeister.

Post 5: Went the Day Well (6/1)

Fun fact: Shackleford won the race last year starting from the fifth post.

While you should only take that with a grain of salt, it’s something to consider when deciding on a horse.

A fourth-place finish at the Derby can be blamed on a slow start in the heavy traffic, something that won’t be an issue this time around.

With the speed this colt possesses, if he is able to out-pace Bodemeister early, expect him to snatch the victory.

With Bodemeister’s 8/5 odds, I believe Went the Day Well is the best value in the race, while also having a realistic chance of actually winning it. 

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