Preakness Stakes 2012: Latest Update on Post Time and Start Time

The Preakness Stakes marks the halfway point of the Triple Crown. I'll Have Another pulled off a thrilling victory two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby, putting him just two wins away from horse racing immortality.

He'll face a field featuring some of the best three-year-old horses on the planet, however, so another triumph won't be easy. Bodemeister, Creative Cause and Went the Day Well figure to be his toughest competition at Pimlico.

Let's take a look at the post time information and make a prediction for how the race will play out.

Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland

When: Saturday, May 19

Watch: NBC

Post Time: 6:18 p.m. ET

Weather Outlook

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, where there was a threat of rain showers throughout the afternoon on race day, fans in Baltimore couldn't ask for a nicer afternoon. According to weather.com, temperatures will hover around 80 degrees without any concerns about precipitation.

That should help the horses that were already expected to contend since it gives the jockey one less thing to worry about when setting up the run. It also means the race should be able to start on time without a hitch.

Race Prediction

Bodemeister should once again help set the early pace as a part of the lead group. The strategy almost landed him in the winner's circle a couple weeks ago, but he ran out of steam down the stretch and finished in second.

Other contenders like I'll Have Another, Creative Cause and Went the Day Well will settle in behind. The race could very well be decided by which one of those three horses gets set up for a late charge the best by their jockey.

A couple long shots to watch include Zetterholm and Pretension. Zetterholm should be well-rested having not raced for more than a month, while Pretension is coming off a win in the Canonero at Pimlico on the same day as the Kentucky Derby.

All told, look for I'll Have Another to keep his Triple Crown chances alive with another huge victory. It should be a close race between the top four, but he has proven already that he has the late push necessary to pull it out.

Winner: I'll Have Another