Preakness 2012 Post Positions: Which Positions See the Most Success?

Since the Preakness Stakes began back in 1909, the post positions have had a slight effect on the results.

Similar to a track meet where the faster runners get the middle lanes, the 2012 favorites at the Preakness received the interior posts. To that end, with this year's odds in mind let's see which posts turned up the highest rate of success.

Full View of 2012 Preakness post positions and odds.

View Preakness results from 1909-2009.

Post 4

This year post four has been given to Zetterholm with 20-to-1 odds and, despite only presenting a 5-3-1 record, the horse enters the Preakness on three consecutive victories.

All-time post four has won at Pimlico 13 times (tied for second-most with post seven) and recently won in 2007 (Curlin). As for 2012, despite Zetterholm's recent success his odds are in the bottom-half of all the competitors.

Also, jockey Junior Alvarado has limited experience by comparison to other veterans so the post is a favorable starting point for this combo. Because of its overall success though, expect a stronger than anticipated showing from Zetterholm as post four has been arguably the most consistent of the last 20-plus years.

Post 6

With 15 wins since the Preakness began over a century ago, post six has produced the most all-time success and a recent winner in 2004 (Smarty Jones).

That said, clearly a dangerous contender like Creative Cause has an advantage because he can shoot ahead of the pack from the middle and outrun around the turns. Not to mention, Creative Cause also has good odds at 6-to-1 and hasn't finished worse than fifth in his last nine races.

Include up-and-coming jockey Joel Rosario, and this duo will impress at Pimlico. Courtesy of the historical edge post six provides at the Preakness, it's surprising that Creative Cause doesn't have better odds.

Post 7

As if you need any more reason to bet on Bodemeister, post seven has 13 wins in Baltimore (as previously mentioned, tied with post four for second all-time).

Bodemeister is the clear favorite with 8-to-5 odds and has either a first- or second-place finish in his last five races. That consistency alone matches well with this post, which also gives us a race-within-a-race, because Bodemeister and Creative Cause will battle to get quickly get ahead of the pack.

Lest we forget about veteran jockey Mike Smith and trainer Bob Baffert. Bodemeister in post seven is the safest choice and rightfully so, since it's brought five winners over the last 22 years and most recently Lookin at Lucky in 2010.