2012 Preakness Stakes Free Picks: Win, Place and Show Predictions

2012 Preakness Stakes Picks – Win, Place and Show Predictions: The Triple Crown chase shifts to Pimlico Race Couse in Baltimore, Maryland this weekend for the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes. All eyes are on Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, as he tries to win the second-leg of the Triple Crown and keep his dream alive of becoming the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Of course, Kentucky Derby runner-up and this weekend’s favorite Bodemeister will likely have something to say about that, along with everyone else in a field that includes several newcomers that weren’t at Churchill Downs.

2012 Preakness Stakes Free Picks: Win, Place and Show Predictions

Winner: Bodemeister (17/10)

This horse did everything a bettor could ask of a favorite in the Kentucky Derby except win the race. In fact, Bodemeister’s performance at Churchill Downs was arguably the most impressive by a non-winner of the event in recent memory. The horse clearly has incredible speed as evidenced by his record-setting pace in the early stages of the Kentucky Derby, and while sprinting may be his specialty, it’s not like Bodemeister lacks stamina. He would have won the Run for the Roses had the race been just a bit shorter, and fortunately for Bob Baffert’s top prospect, the Preakness Stakes is just that. The track at Pimlico is one furlong shorter than the track at Churchill Downs, and the difference in length could very well be the reason why Bodemeister hangs on for the win this weekend. Look for him to get out front early and stay there for the duration.

Place: Creative Cause (7/1)

Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Creative Cause had been a lock to finish on the board. After all, the horse had eight finishes of third or better, including four wins, in eight career starts. A bad break from the gate ended that streak at Churchill Downs, but with a much more favorable post draw this weekend, Creative Cause should return to form, especially considering the shorter length of Saturday’s race is much closer to the distances this horse has performed his best at. He may not have the top speed needed to win at Pimlico, but this horse’s blend of stamina and speed has made him one of the most consistent performers in his age group. Not to mention that starting inside of both Bodemeister and Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another should allow Creative Cause to have a clear shot at the frontrunners down the stretch.

Show: I’ll Have Another (5/2 odds)

I’ll Have Another used an incredible closing surge to overtake the frontrunners and win the Kentucky Derby two weeks, but it remains to be seen if he has the speed to handle Bodemeister and other challengers on a shorter track. If his run at Churchill Downs was any indication, I’ll Have Another needs to be going forward at the end in order to be at his best, and jockey Mario Gutierrez is going to have to make flawless decisions for that to happen. Gutierrez will have to make sure he stays close enough to the sprinters to make a late move, but he must also make sure to I’ll Have Another has enough gas left in tank to make that late move. The longer I’ll Have Another ran at Churchill Downs, the better he got. More so than any other horse in the field, he will likely miss that extra furlong this weekend at Pimlico. I think this horse will be coming to the front, but I just don’t think he’ll get there in time.

Check out updated 2012 Preakness Odds and 2012 Preakness Stakes Predictions from NSAwins.com!

Updated Odds to Win the 2012 Preakness Stakes
201 Tiger Walk +3550
202 Teeth of the Dog +1550
203 Pretension +3550
204 Zetterholm +2450
205 Went The Day Well +505
206 Creative Cause +715
207 Bodemeister +165
208 Daddy Nose Best +1415
209 Ill Have Another +215
210 Optimizer +3550
211 Cozzetti +3850