Preakness 2012 Results: A Look Ahead to the Belmont Stakes

After the 2012 Preakness ended in dramatic fashion, America is turning their heads to the Belmont Stakes on June 9^th, when the country could have its first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

While I’ll Have Another will try for another big win, other horses will look to steal the Triple Crown’s third leg in Elmont, NY.

Here are the contenders for a Belmont victory. 

I’ll Have Another

In search of the first Triple Crown since Affirmed won it 34 years ago, all eyes will be on I’ll Have Another at Belmont.

Trainer Doug O’ Neill’s horse is the first to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont since 2008

The prized horse and his jockey Mario Gutierrez have made a habit out of comeback victories in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Now they’ll try find the magic in the longest track of the three legs.

It will be I’ll Have Another’s toughest race yet, but the thoroughbred has shown the stamina and will to win the crown.

Optimizer

Despite starting in the 10th position at the Preakness, Optimizer ran a great race and was able to finish 6th. This horse has a phenomenal drive and will surely improve upon this placement at the Belmont Stakes.

Optimizer would definitely benefit from a better post position in New York, but the patience and speed is clearly there for a strong showing in a couple of weeks. 

Creative Cause

Underdogs have been known to rise up at the Preakness. Creative Cause has shown just enough to have a chance in three weeks, finished 3^rd at the Preakness and 5^th and the Derby.

The horse may be in a distant third behind the two favorites, but Creative Cause showed at both top races that he could hang for awhile with the two juggernauts. At one point, the horse was stride for stride with Bodemeister, until the horse extended its lead on the final turn.

The Belmont will call for endurance and patience with its 12 furlong track; Creative Cause could be just the horse that shocks the world and ruins I’ll Have Another’s day.

Preakness Results and Payouts 

137th Preakness Stakes | Grade I | Purse: $1 Million | Distance: 9.5 Furlongs | Track: Fast

No	Horse	Jockey	Win	Place	Show
9	I'll Have Another	Mario Gutierrez	$8.40	$3.80	$2.80
7	Bodemeister	Mike Smith		$3.20	$2.80
6	Creative Cause	Joel Rosario			$3.60
Also Ran: 2 - Teeth of the Dog, 10- Optimizer, 11 - Cozzetti, 1- Tiger Walk, 8 - Daddy Nose Best, 4- Zetterholm, 5 - Went the Day Well, 3 - Pretension Winning Owner: J. Paul Reddam Winning Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill Fractions: :23.79, :47.68, 1:11.72, 1:38.69 Final Time: 1:55.94