Odds to Win Preakness Stakes 2012

With just two weeks separating the Kentucky Derby from “The Second Jewel of the Triple Crown” it’s now time to take a look at the early odds to win 2012 Preakness Stakes. The 137^th edition of the “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” is scheduled to get underway Saturday May 19, 2012, live from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

Although 14 horses will be competing at the 2012 Preakness Stakes this year, everyone’s attention will be focused on just two: Bodemeister and reigning Kentucky Derby champion, I’ll Have Another, who will be trying to complete the second leg of the Triple Crown.

These two horses are coming off one of the most exciting performances in recent memory, as I’ll Have Another snatched the $2 million first-place prize from Bob Baffert’s horse in the final furlong at Churchill Downs.

Listed as a 15/1 longshot, Doug O’Neill got his first Kentucky Derby victory in dramatic fashion. Entering the Preakness Stakes 2012, I’ll Have Another will take on the role of being the hunted one, as everyone will be trying to stop him from becoming the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978.

With a shorter, 1-3/16-mile (9.5 furlongs) dirt track to deal with, I’ll Have Another arrived at Pimlico this week to begin preparations for the big race. After watching his horse gallop up and down the racetrack, O’Neill spoke to reporters and addressed how well his horse has  transitioned after such an intense weekend in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I thought he looked fantastic,” he said of I’ll Have Another, who has won three consecutive races (Kentucky, Santa Anita & Robert B. Lewis). “He had his caddy Arnold Palmer with him, Lava Man, and they were just like we were back home. Those two were absolutely great together, full of energy but composed.

“One of the great things about I’ll Have Another is he’s got such a beautiful, long stride. You saw it here today. He’s maintained that on whatever surface he’s on. That’s what I was looking for. I just wanted to see him really stretch and he did. He looks no worse for the wear. He looks great.”

But considering this racetrack will be much shorter than last week’s, many experts expecting Bodemeister to have the upper hand come May 19 and avenge his loss at the Derby. However, with I’ll Have Another’s performance last week, he has certainly earned the respect of Preakness Stakes oddsmakers, as they currently list these rivals even at 3/1 odds. Can Bodemeister stop I’ll Have Another from immortality?

For what it’s worth, one of the Kentucky Derby frontrunner will not be there to offer resistance. It’s certainly worth noting that Union Rags will not make the trip to Baltimore for the Preakness. Instead, trainer Mike Matz has decided to rest him now that he’s out of Triple Crown contention.

It is unclear if Union Rags will compete on the June 9th Belmont Stakes race at Belmont Park, but we will keep you posted. In the meantime, check out a complete list of early odds to win 2012 Preakness Stakes and remember to get your free horse racing picks right here!

• Bodemeister: 3/1
• Ill Have Another: 3/1
• Dullahan: 6/1
• Hansen: 8/1
• Creative Cause: 8/1
• Went The Day Well: 8/1
• Liaison: 12/1
• Isnt He Clever: 15/1
• Zetterholm: 15/1
• Paynter: 15/1
• Optimizer: 16/1
• Brimstone Island: 20/1
• Cozzetti: 20/1
• Pretension: 20/1
• Hierro: 20/1
• Teeth of the Dog: 25/1
• Tiger Walk: 25/1
• Guyana Star Dweej: 25/1
• Trinniberg: 25/1

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