2012 Preakness Post Positions: Why Starting Slots Don't Guarantee Success

One of the most talked-about factors when handicapping Triple Crown races is post position. Since there are so many horses with elite talent, where they start the race does have a sizable impact on the outcome. But a good gate doesn't guarantee success.

The most coveted posts are those toward the middle, which, for today's Preakness Stakes, would be from gate No. 3 to gate No. 9. Starting on the extreme inside, like Tiger Walk and Teeth of the Dog, or the extreme outside, like Optimizer and Cozzetti, has a negative effect on a horse's chances.

Being in the middle means that a horse isn't in danger of getting squeezed out along the rail and also won't have to travel a greater distance from the outside. It's like the story of the three bears: horses have to find a post position that's just right.

That said, starting from one of those coveted post positions doesn't automatically make a horse a contender. It still takes a terrific race from a talented horse in order to win a marquee race like the one at Pimlico Race Course this afternoon.

Luckily for most of the top contenders, they were able to land good spots. Kentucky Derby champion I'll Have Another will break from post No. 9, while the horse he surged by two weeks ago, Bodemeister, starts just inside him at No. 7.

Other horses that have good starting spots, such as Pretension and Zetterholm, still face an uphill battle to win the run for the Black-Eyed Susans. They don't have the track record of those aforementioned horses, and a good breaking point doesn't change that.

So, while you're trying to pick out which horse will win the second leg of the Triple Crown, post position is definitely something to consider. It should not be the sole factor in the decision, however.

After all, a horse with 30-1 odds remains a long shot no matter where they start.

For a complete list of Preakness Stakes post positions, click here.