137th Preakness Stakes

(David Phillip/AP) We’re only a half-hour away from the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Of course, the Derby winner I’ll Have Another is in the field of eleven horses in the ninth post, flanked by other Kentucky Derby runners Optimizer on the outside and Daddy Nose Best on the inside. Other familiar names in the field are Went the Day Well, Creative Cause, and the horse that nearly took the garland of roses two weeks ago, Bodemeister. Bodemesiter is the morning line favorite at 8/5, with I’ll Have Another close behind at 5/2. It is likely betters have favored Bodemeister today, as the Preakness is half of a furlong shorter than the Derby, so if the Derby race is any indication, Bodemeister might have the edge. His solid lead coming down the stretch to the finish was surpassed only by I’ll Have Another and his late push to just beat him by a nose. But horses are temperamental creatures, and crazy things can happen. Big Brown was the last horse to come close to winning all three races in 2008. He won the Derby and Preakness, but lost to a longshot in the Belmont. Here’s to hoping I’ll Have Another makes a strong showing and keeps the interest in horse racing this season, outside the Bluegrass, alive for a little bit longer. Post time is scheduled for 6:05 and coverage is on NBC. If you’ve made bets, good luck to you. Or, you can take Colin Cowherd’s advice.

I've never bet on anything that sleeps standing up but you go ahead. #preakness

— Colin Cowherd (@ESPN_Colin) May 19, 2012