Preakness 2012 Results: 2-Horse Race Doesn't Bode Well for Field at Belmont

The 137th running of the Preakness had a field of 11 horses, but it only needed to bother with two.

I'll Have Another and Bodemeister were simply that much better than every other horse running at Pimlico.

That means it's unlikely a horse from the Preakness will have what it takes to prevent I'll Have Another from earning the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes, an assertion strengthened by the fact that Bob Baffert has made it known that Bodemeister won't run in New York.

Now, that doesn't mean there aren't horses out there that can't give the Triple Crown hopeful a run for his money. Dullahan finished third at the Derby and has wicked deep-closing ability. Union Rags was a huge disappointment at the Derby, but still has the talent to pull off the upset in New York.

My guess is that those two horses will be the top competition for I'll Have Another. Maybe Creative Cause—fifth at the Derby and third at the Preakness—can give him a run as well if he runs in New York, as he lost to him at the Santa Anita Derby by only a nose.

But if his Preakness run is any indication, Creative Cause won't be close to knocking off I'll Have Another.

Of course, the mile-and-a-half track at the Belmont Stakes is a whole new animal for these horses to deal with and I'll Have Another won't have Bodemeister to track down this time. Strange as it sounds, the horse might miss settling behind the leader's pace that Bodemeister sets.

Winning the Triple Crown is all about versatility and a horse's ability to adapt his run to a new track and length. Thus far, I'll Have Another looks like a horse that can adjust to a different environment and still run his race.

Only Bodemeister has looked capable of beating I'll Have Another (though Dullahan's final push at the Derby was impressive).

So, is there a horse out there that can step up in Bodemeister's absence and give I'll Have Another a run for his money?

I don't know. I haven't seen it yet. If not, history will be made.

And that's what we all want, isn't it?

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets will gladly have another as well.