Preakness 2012 Results: Horses More Fit for Belmont's Long Track

The 137th Preakness Stakes showcased I'll Have Another's propensity for dramatic victories. It also showed a few horses who could not handle Pimlico's 1.1875-mile track.

The horses who finished in the back of the pack are not all bad horses. Some of them are better built for longer runs.

The Belmont Stakes will provide just that. Its 1.5-mile track provides slow starters the chance to close gaps.

Let's take a look at which horses are more suited for longer races.

Optimizer

Optimizer finished 11th in the Kentucky Derby, and sixth in the Preakness Stakes.

His improvement in the Preakness is encouraging. Moving to Belmont's longer track is even more so for Optimizer's handlers.

Optimizer comes from English Channel and Indy Pick. Both have produced notable distance horses, excelling on one-plus-mile tracks.

Optimizer tried to make a push to the front of the pack in Saturday's Preakness but could not make his move fast enough.

Belmont's track will give Optimizer more room to work with and more time to make up ground.

If his jump in place from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness means anything, he will be toward the top of the leaderboard in this year's Belmont Stakes.

Went the Day Well

Went the Day Well finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby and a disappointing 10th in the Preakness Stakes.

He went from being a popular pick to win to a tremendous disappointment.

Went the Day Well's favorable odds were due to his excellent run down the backstretch at Churchill Downs. He nearly chased down the race's leaders and was expected to excel on the shorter Pimlico track.

Went the Day Well will perform better at Belmont.

While he is a fast sprinter, he takes a while to get up to speed. Belmont's long track will require more endurance, but will also allow him to open his throttle up completely.

Went the Day Well will probably be a favorite when the Belmont Stakes arrives. Expect him to give a much better showing in the third leg of the Triple Crown races.