Bodemeister declared the favourite for the Preakness while Derby winner installed as the second choice in the post position draw at Pimlico
The post-positions for the Grade 1, $1 million Preakness Stakes were announced on 16 May, 2012, at Pimlico Race Course, which will host the 1 3/16 mile contest, also known as the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on 19 May, 2012.
The runner up of the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby, Bodemeister, has been declared as the 8 to 5 favourite, who will break from post number 7, while the winner of the Run for the Roses, I’ll Have Another has been installed the second choice at 5 to 2, and drew post number 9 for the Preakness Stakes.
A field of 11 horses has been reeled in by the Preakness Stakes, while four of the five top Derby finishers will race at Pimlico on 19 May. Overall, six Derby contenders along with five newcomers will constitute the Preakness lineup.
Bob Baffert trained, Bodemeister, was a slight Derby favourite as well, with the odds of 4 to 1. Baffert is happy with the post position, who wasn’t present at Pimlico while the post positions were announced.
The pace is expected to come from Southern-California based colts, as Graham Motion trained, Went The Day Well will also make a strong case in the early stages of the race, who finished fourth in the Derby, and now drew post number 5.
While the 6 to 1 third choice for the Preakness, Creative Cause will be among the pack darting to the front when the Pimlico gates open.
Another Derby contender, Daddy Nose Best, will be breaking from post number 10 and after his 10th place finish in the Kentucky Derby, the Cathy and Bob Zollars trained colt will be reunited with Julien Leparoux, as Union Rags decided to bypass the Preakness.
Steven Asmussen trained Optimizer, who finished 11th in the Derby has drawn post number 8, along with the newcomer Cozzetti, who drew the far outside post.
I’ll Have Another has never been declared the favourite in any of the races he participated in, and same is the case here, but if he goes on to win the Preakness Stakes than he will be in contention to win the Triple Crown for the first time since, Affirmed, in 1978.
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