Preakness 2012 Results: Analyzing I'll Have Another's Epic Win

I'll Have Another wasn't fazed by the pressures of Pimlico and keeping his bid for horse racing's Triple Crown alive on Saturday, as he rallied with a late burst to overcome favorite Bodemeister, once again taking the race in thrilling fashion. 

The colt's epic win at the Preakness Stakes was almost identical to his victory at the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, when he saved his best for the end and blew past a dead-tired Bodemeister. 

Looking back at the race replay, we see that I'll Have Another's jockey Mario Gutierrez gets his racehorse out of the starting post fast and moves him toward the front, but remains patient running with the pack until it's time for I'll Have Another to make his move.

Bodemeister demonstrated his world-class speed once again as he broke to the front and built a decent lead, just as he had done at Churchill Downs in the Triple Crown's first leg. Although Pimlico Race Course presents a slightly shorter track than Churchill Downs, 1/16 of a mile shorter, those watching had to believe Bodemeister would run out of gas just as he did two weeks earlier.

I'll Have Another ran fourth for about two-thirds of the race until making an inevitable surge off the fourth and final turn. The Kentucky Derby winner went wide and looked much more energized than leader Bodemeister at that point. 

In the race's final seconds, Gutierrez and I'll Have Another powered past jockey Mike Smith and Bodemeister to win the 137th Preakness Stakes by a neck. Gutierrez rode his horse to perfection and got the absolute most out him no question.

Bodemeister placed second and Creative Cause showed, finishing third.

Now the Triple Crown enters its third and final leg at Belmont Park this June, where I'll Have Another will look to become the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years. Not since Affirmed in 1978 has a horse accomplished the feat. 

With his incredible closing speed and stamina though, it will be hard to bet against I'll Have Another at at the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes next month. 

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