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The 2012 Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course is a grudge match of sorts. Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another will seek to stay on a roll as he tries to advance to the Belmont Stakes with a shot at wearing the seemingly unattainable Triple Crown. Meanwhile, Bodemeister, who tired late to be second after setting a furious pace at Churchill Downs, will try to turn the tables on I’ll Have Another. Neither horse is my selection to win.

Tiger Walk  (Tale of the Cat x Majestic Trail by Kris S.) 30-1: This one was last seen passing tired horses in the stretch of the Grade 1 Wood Memorial to be fourth. Since then he has posted a sharp  four furlong move in :47 3/5 B over this track. Trainer Ignacio Correas will add blinkers for the first time as Kent Desormeaux gets the call to ride. The Hall of Fame rider won this race in 1998 with Real Quiet and 2008 with Big Brown, both of whom were much more horse than this one. Will need something strange to happen for him to win.

Teeth of the Dog (Bluegrass Cat x Deputy Reality by Deputy Minister) 15-1: I will catch a lot of heat for this statement, but he could be Michael Matz best three-year-old. The inexperienced horse rallied to be third at 53-1 in the Wood Memorial when last seen and before that was a maiden winner at Gulfstream. His routing ability is confirmed and his speed figures have improved with every race. This event figures to have soft fractions, so it is imperative that jockey Joe Bravo keeps him near the front. Clearly, this one is the best of the long shot contingent and the bay colt possesses a true chance of becoming the next Preakness winner.

Pretension (Bluegrass Cat x Main Streetin’ by Street Cry) 30-1: Won by a neck in the Canonero II Stakes against four other rivals over this track last out. He isn’t fast enough to win the Preakness, but he does have enough early zip to impact the pace. Backers of other horses will have to hope that Javier Santiago sends him to the front early on to ensure an honest pace. Christopher Grove is the trainer.

Zetterholm (Silver Train x Holy Wish by Lord at War) 30-1: NY-bred turned into a different animal after being sent to the barn of Rick Dutrow (big surprise, right?). His last time racing was a state-bred win where he easily cruised past the favorite in the stretch. This is an ambitious spot for him and he figures to have a lot to do in the stretch. Junior Alvarado retains the mount.

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Went The Day Well (Proud Citizen x Tiz Maie by Tiznow) 6-1: Graham Motion trainee was finishing best of all in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby after what could have been the worst trip in the race. With another jump he would have been third and a better set up would have had him in a photo with I’ll Have Another. The blinkers have clearly made him a better horse. John Velazquez would be wise to keep him closer to the front. If he can work out a trip similar to the one he had in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes, then Team Valor International could have their first Preakness Stakes winner. In fact, we will call for him to pull the upset.

Creative Cause (Giant’s Causeway x Dream of Summer by Siberian Summer) 6-1: He didn’t have much of an excuse while finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby. It was a sharp enough effort to remove my doubts about his progression. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him produce a better effort here, but I still wouldn’t count on it. Trainer Mike Harrington might want to consider throwing the blinkers back on. He seems to be a better horse with them.

Bodemeister (Empire Maker x Untouched Talent by Storm Cat) 8-5: It was surprising to see him stay on so well after setting a wicked fast pace in the Kentucky Derby. Try not to get antsy about playing him at such a short number though. His race wasn’t as good as it looked when you consider how fast the track was playing. Groupie Doll smashed a track record in the Humana Distaff and the fractions were lightning quick in almost every race.

Despite that, the race figures to set up perfectly for him. His chances are based on how much he’s got left in the tank. Essentially, you must ask yourself how much the Kentucky Derby took out of him. I’m not saying he doesn’t have a good shot at winning, because he does, but I cant bet him when I consider the circumstances. Handicapping aside, we wish the best of luck to our friends at Zayat Stables who own this bay colt. Bob Baffert trains and Mike Smith keeps the mount.

Daddy Nose Best (Scat Daddy x Follow Your Bliss by Thunder Gulch) 12-1: This guy was the buzz horse going into the Kentucky Derby, but suffered from a poor trip under Garrett Gomez while finishing 10th. Regular rider Julien Leparoux will get the mount back for trainer Steve Asmussen. His closing style doesn’t fit this track well and he figures to be left with too much to do. Add him to the stable mail and bet him when he gets back on turf or synthetic.

I’ll Have Another (Flower Alley x Arch’s Gal Edith by Arch) 5-2: The Kentucky Derby winner had a very good trip and benefited from a fast pace at Churchill Downs. However, you cant criticize him for winning the race, no matter how he did it. I love the gameness he exhibits and he should be ready to run a big race on two weeks rest given the light campaign he has had leading up to the Preakness. Mario Gutierrez has enough tactical speed to keep Bodemeister honest and it is important that he does so.

Historically, Kentucky Derby winners are very tough to handle in the Preakness Stakes. However, only four of the last 10 Derby winners have won the Preakness. Of the other six Derby winners three were second, one was third, one was off the board and the ill-fated Barbaro did not finish. In the end, I’ll Have Another has the stuff to win this race and will likely run a career best race. He deserves to be the favorite and is the horse to beat. Best of luck to trainer Doug O’Neill as he attempts to grab the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Optimizer (English Channel x Indy Pick by AP Indy) 30-1: Pretty much just ran around the track at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby to finish 11th. D Wayne Lukas will mix things up here by giving the mount to Corey Nakatani. That likely wont be enough to do the trick for this bay colt that is still eligible for a non-winners of two lifetime race.

Cozetti (Cozzene x Lemon Drop Cello by Lemon Drop Kid) 30-1: Rallied well to be fourth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby last out. His only win was over a wet main track against six other foes at Churchill Downs. It’s hard to see him impacting this race. Jose Lezcano will ride for Dale Romans.

My top selection to win the Preakness Stakes is Went The Day Well (6-1). He had a horrid trip in the Derby and was finishing best of all towards the finish. John Velazquez has enough early speed to stay within striking range and will be on a horse that figures to run the best race of his life.

Not far behind my selection is Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another (5-2). It appears that he is also sitting on the best race of his career. A light campaign leading up to his last victory will serve him well as he tries to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

While Bodemeister has strong merits, he also has question marks. At what figures to be a very short price he is a clear play against.

• Preakness Exacta: 2,5,9 BOX
• Preakness Trifecta: 5,9 with 2,5,7,9 with 1,2,5,7,9
• Preakness Superfecta: 5,9 with 5,9 with 1,2,6,7 with ALL

Bet the Preakness Stakes with TVG, where new players get $50 for each of their three months!