2012 Belmont Stakes: Ratings, Bets Not Hurt By I'll Have Another's Absence

Despite the fact that the hopes of the first Triple Crown Championship since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978 went out the window with I'll Have Another's retirement the day before the 2012 Belmont Stakes, it didn't deter racing fans' interest in the event.

In a report filed by the Associated Press, there were a staggering amount of wagers placed on the race; in fact it was a near historic amount.

Via the Wall Street Journal:

A close finish led to the second-largest amount of money wagered, strong attendance and higher television ratings, proving people will still watch the sport on its big days.

In addition, the television ratings pulled a 5.4 overnight righting and a 13 share, which was 13 percent higher than last year's Belmont and a staggering 74 percent better than the 2010 Belmont.

Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full-time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nation horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come.

Belmont Stakes 2012: Paynter Trainer Asks, 'Is There A Triple Crown For Seconds?'

Coming into the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the attention of the racing world was focused upon I'll Have Another and the prospects of the first Triple Crown since 1978. When I'll Have Another was scratched from the Belmont the day before the race and retired from competition altogether, the proverbial air left the sails of the viewing public and went with it the possibility of a Triple Crown Champion. However, if you ask Paynter's trainer Bob Baffert, there was a Triple Crown following the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, albeit a dubious one.

In each of the three legs of the crown, a Baffert trained horse was led to the front of the pack by jockey Mike Smith and in each of those legs the horse was overtaken at the finish line. This prompted the frustrated trainer to propose a new kind of Triple Crown.

"Is there a Triple Crown for seconds? I need a Triple Crown for seconds. I really thought [Paynter] was going to win today. He was doing so well. I knew we had the horse to do it and that horse [Union Rags] snuck up on him. He's still a young horse, still learning how to run. It's over. When you get beat, you get beat.''

The manner in which Paynter got beat wasn't at all dissimilar to the way Bodemeister was caught down the stretch on two occasions by I'll Have Another. For Baffert and Smith to lose in the exact same manner in three straight races, with two different horses, is as remarkable as it is disappointing.

Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full-time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nationhorse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come.

Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Union Rags Steals The Win

The 144th running of the Belmont Stakes is now in the books, with Paynter falling just short of a wire-to-wire victory after being nipped in the final seconds by Union Rags. Paynter had taken the lead early in the race as most expected and led the pack through to the final stretch, which wasn't as expected.

Most thought that Paynter would give way much sooner than that, but the horse didn't, keeping neck-and-neck with Unstoppable U through to the second half. Unstoppable U fell behind, though, and Atigun began pushing, but the show was quickly about Paynter and Union Rags. The second half of the final stretch was an all-out battle between Paynter and Union Rags, with the latter taking the win right at the very end.

Unstoppable U fell behind slightly and Atigun rounded out the top three. Race favorite, Dullahan, was seven lengths behind and second-to-last coming into the final stretch, which was severely disappointing. Dullahan was the favorite since I'll Have Another pulled out of the race and eventually retired, dashing the Triple Crown hopes.

Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full-time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nation horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come.

Belmont Stakes 2012 Results, Just A Game: Tapitsfly Wins In Impressive Fashion

The 2012 running of the Belmont Stakes is just around the corner, and with it comes a slew of exciting undercard races. Following the True North Handicap, the Just A Game Handicap got underway and featured an exciting race, to be sure. The race was won by Tapitsfly after a last-minute adjustment prior to the start of the race saw a gameplan change.

Trainer Dale Romans, according to DRF.com, told jockey Ramon Dominquez to put Tapitsfly in the lead at the very beginning. The horse didn't relinquish her lead, and ended up winning by 2 1/4 lengths, besting even-money favorite Winter Memories. It was Tapitsfly's first ever Grade I win, and it almost didn't happen, given that the horse was set to run last weekend's Mint Julep at Churchill Downs.

The purse for this race was $500,000, bringing Tapitsfly's lifetime earnings to $1,253,836. Winter Memories finished second, with Hungry Island rounding out the top three. The full results are below

1. Tapitsfly
2. Winter Memories
3. Hungry Island
4. Up In Time
5. Sylvestris-Ire
6. Wallis
7. Dancinginherdrems

Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come.

The Belmont Stakes 2012 Results, True North Handicap: Caixa Eletronica Comes From Behind In Undercard

While much of the buzz surrounding the 2012 running of the Belmont Stakes has been tempered due to the fact that I'll Have Another has withdrawn due to injury, there's still plenty to be excited about on race day. The Triple Crown is historic, but it isn't everything, and it's been a great day of races thus far.

Among the races today was the 34th running of the True North Handicap, a Grade II race with a handicap for three-year-old horses and upward. It took place at 3:15 p.m. and the race was won by Caixa Eletronica. The horse was lagging behind from the get-to but started to push hard after the first turn.

Justin Phillip was the horse passed near the end - collared in the final 70 yards as Eletronica took the win. Justin Phillip trailed behind with Smiling Tiger bringing up third place. Smiling Tiger stumbled out of the gate which really hurt.

Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come.

Belmont Stakes Odds 2012: Dullahan New Favorite Following I'll Have Another Scratch

With previous favorite I'll Have Another scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the morning line shows Dullahan as the favorite, with odds set at 9-5. The Dale Romans trained horse has three starts from 2012, with the best showing being the third place finish in the Kentucky Derby. That was with jockey Kent Desormeaux, though, who will not be riding Dullahan for the Belmont Stakes. Instead, the horse will be ridden by Javier Castellano, a jockey who had a couple of number one finishes on other horses earlier this week at Belmont.

Via Belmont Stakes, the full morning line odds from Belmont are:

1. Street Life 8-1
2. Unstoppable U 20-1
3. Union Rags 3-1
4. Atigun 15-1
5. Dullahan 9-5
6. Ravelo's Boy 30-1
7. Five Sixteen 30-1
8. Guyana Star Dweej 30-1
9. Paynter 7-2
10. Optimizer 15-1
12. My Adonis 15-1

Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube:

Belmont Stakes 2012: Post Positions, TV Schedule, Live Coverage And More

The 2012 Belmont Stakes take place on Saturday, June 9. The final leg of the sport's Triple Crown races, there will be no contender for the sport's most coveted prize this year. I'll Have Another, who was a heavy favorite to win at Belmont after winning at the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness, withdrew on Friday. That left Dullahan as the favorite in a tightly packed field that now stands at just 11 horses.

Post time for the race is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast on NBC, and coverage of the race starts at 4:35 p.m. Eastern. Fans can also watch the race live online at NBCSports.com. Updated odds are available here.

Post positions for the race are as follows:

1-Street Life

2-Unstoppable U

3-Union Rags

4-Atigun

5-Dullahan

6-Ravelo's Boy

7-Five Sixteen

8-Guyana Star Dweej

9-Paynter

10-Optimizer

11-I'll Have Another

12-My Adonis

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream. You can also watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:

Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Dullahan Now Favored

There will be no Triple Crown winner this year. I'll Have Another, a significant favorite to win this year, pulled out of the race on Friday. The horse's exit from the race also changed the odds, making for a wide open field, a horse race in every sense of the word. Dullahan is now the favorite to win the race with 9-5 odds.

Right behind is Union Rags at 3-1. Paynter now has the third-best odds of any horse in the race at 7-2. The latest odds following I'll Have Another's exit are as follows, arranged by post position:

1-Street Life, 8/1

2-Unstoppable U, 20/1

3-Union Rags, 3/1

4-Atigun, 15/1

5-Dullahan, 9/5

6-Ravelo's Boy, 30/1

7-Five Sixteen, 30/1

8-Guyana Star Dweej, 30/1

9-Paynter, 7/2

10-Optimizer, 15/1

11-I'll Have Another, 4/5

12-My Adonis, 15/1

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream. You can also watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:

Belmont Stakes 2012: I'll Have Another's Trainer Addresses Media About Horse's Withdrawal

On Friday morning, the Triple Crown dreams of I'll Have Another ended before they even had a chance to begin. Only one win shy at the Belmont Stakes from completing the first Triple Crown since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978, I'll Have Another was pulled from the race. Later on Friday, the horse's trainer, Doug O'Neill, addressed the media to explain the situation.

The decision was made early Friday morning when the Triple Crown hopeful was taken out on a morning gallop. Despite looking good, according to O'Neill, the group involved with the horse was concerned with swelling that had appeared in the left front tendon.

After having a doctor look at the horse, it was determined that it was the beginning of tendonitis.

"This has been an incredible ride and incredible run," O'Neill said via a televised press conference on ESPN. "I've taken plenty of mental notes and I know we'll be back here next year."

Of course, O'Neill will be returning without I'll Have Another. The group involved with the horse has determined unanimously to retire I'll Have Another from racing. In retirement, I'll Have Another could bring millions of dollars in stud fees.

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream. You can also watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:

2012 Belmont Stakes: I'll Have Another Will Not Run

I'll Have Another was only one win away from winning the top prize of Horse Racing, the Triple Crown, but bad luck has appeared to stifle his chances at taking home the prize. Early on Friday, rumors started to swirl about the horse missing the Belmont Stakes due to an undisclosed issue. Shortly thereafter, it was confirmed via the Dan Patrick Show on Twitter that I'll Have Another will miss the race.

Doug O'Neill: "I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont."

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 8, 2012

According to HRTV reporter Scott Hazelton, here will be an official press conference regarding I'll Have Another at 1:00 p.m. ET.

This officially ends this year's bid for the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed won it in 1978. I'll Have Another was scheduled to take the 11th gate at Belmont. No word is out on what horse will replace him.

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream.

2012 Belmont Stakes: Labor Deal Reached Ahead Of Race

A strike by workers at the Belmont racetrack -- which threatened to nix I'll Have Another's shot at a Triple Crown -- has been averted, according to a Wednesday article from the Associated Press.

Workers at the Belmont racetrack were seeking a new labor deal and had threatened to strike at this weekend's Belmont Stakes, where I'll Have Another will try to become the first horse in 34 years to win the Triple Crown.

But according to Vincent McElroen, the financial secretary for Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a deal has been struck.

"The race will go on with normal starters and normal maintenance crew represented by Local 3,'' he said....

"Now, together, we can focus exclusively on this Saturday's Belmont Stakes and I'll Have Another's historic attempt to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978,'' NYRA president and chief operating officer Ellen McClain said in a statement released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

At issue were overtime and the structure of the track workers' work week. Workers at Belmont had been without a contract since February 2011.

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream. You can also watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:

2012 Belmont Stakes: I'll Have Another Draws 11th Post Position

There's much excitement for the 2012 running of the Belmont Stakes, with the racing world abuzz about a potential Triple Crown winner in I'll Have Another. It's been a wild run for the horse who came from behind to overtake Bodemeister in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

He'll have to do something similar this time out, though. While Bodemeister won't be in action for the Belmont, I'll Have Another will have plenty of horses to pass up once the final leg of the Triple Crown gets set. The post positions have been released in full and the horse has a tough draw. Below, we've got the full list:

1. Street Life
2. Unstoppable U
3. Union Rags
4. Atigun
5. Dullahan
6. Ravelo's Boy
7. Five Sixteen
8. Guyana Star Dweej
9. Paynter
10. Optimizer
    
11. I'll Have Another
12. My Adonis

That's right - I'll Have Another is all the way down at No. 11, which is a tough draw but obviously fits in with the horse's racing style. Will we see another come-from-behind victory so I'll Have Another can get the Triple Crown? It's looking much tougher than the first two legs this time out.

Dullahan is the favorite outside of I'll Have Another, and the horse drew a solid position at No. 5, so things are getting a bit more interesting.

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream.

Belmont Stakes 2012 Contenders: I'll Have Another's Move To Secure Barn Delayed

I'll Have Another, who this Saturday will go for the rare Triple Crown, won't move into his high-security barn on Tuesday, as was scheduled, according to USA Today.

I'll Have Another's trainer, Doug O'Neill, said that the horse would move into the closely-guarded, recently-sanitized barn on Wednesday.

That the horses must be in the special barn is the result of new rules imposed by New York racing officials.

The new location means that Lava Man, a horse that has been accompanying I'll Have Another, must be left behind. From USA Today:

Lava Man, a retired horse once trained by O'Neil l, is a calming influence on I'll Have Another. He led I'll Have Another in the post parade for his victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. He leads him back and forth to the track for daily workouts at Belmont Park and is stabled with him....

"We went over there yesterday, and I just think it would be too nerve-wracking for him (Lava Man), so we'll leave him here," O'Neill said outside barn No. 9.

"He'll still chaperone him every morning, but I'm worried that I'll Have Another is such a relaxed, cool horse in the stall. I worry that Lava Man might get a little anxious (in the new barn), and I'll Have Another will wonder what big brother is all anxious about. So we'll leave Lava here. He's settled nicely here, and we'll just move I'll Have Another."

O'Neill is quoted saying I'll Have Another looks good ahead of what might be the first Triple Crown in 34 years.

The New York Daily News also had an article about the delay to the new barn.

For more on the Belmont, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream, or this SB Nation stream.

2012 Belmont Stakes: I'll Have Another Headed To New Belmont Barn

For the first time since 'Affirmed' did it in 1978, we could have a Triple Crown champion horse on Saturday at the Belmont Stakes. I'll Have Another -- the winner of the Preakness and Kentucky Derby -- is just "four more good gallops away from making history," according to his trainer.

On Monday, I'll Have Another went on some training gallops while his competitor horses went on longer runs and sprints, as the horse's trainer, Doug O'Neill, is opting to save I'll Have Another for the race.

But all the horses will have to abide by strict testing and move to a new restrictive barn as early as noon on Wednesday, part of the new rules to ensure that the race is run as fairly as possible:

Like a real prison, the so-called detention barn has bare bulbs illuminating every stall and visitors have to be logged in and out. Instead of being spread out in barns around Belmont Park, all Belmont runners will be sequestered in stalls next to each other. [...]

Along with the horses go equipment, feed and hay, making the move more labor intensive than simply walking the horses to their new stalls. Upon arrival, they will each have a blood test to be reviewed that night by a drug lab.

Everyone associated with the horses, including trainers, assistants, veterinarians, grooms, hot walkers and owners, will have to pass through 24-hour security. Vets have to give advance written notice of any planned treatments.

This move has angered some trainers, but I'll Have Another's trainer accepts the rules. While he's not thrilled about the move, he understands that this sort of thing happens. I'll Have Another is expected to be moved on Tuesday.

For more on I'll Have Another's quest for the 2012 Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream. For more on the world of horse racing, visit And Down The Stretch They Come.

2012 Belmont Stakes: Strict Testing Will Be Enforced At Belmont, Reportedly Focused On Doug O'Neill

With the 2012 Belmont Stakes a little over a week away, the spotlight will gradually begin to brighten on horse racing's newest rising star, I'll Have Another. Only a win shy at the Belmont of the 12th Triple Crown in horse racing history, I'll Have Another has the uninterrupted attention of the racing world. However, that attention extends beyond the horse and on Wednesday it focused upon trainer Doug O'Neill under less than ideal circumstances.

According to a report in the New York Times, I'll Have Another's trainer is not allowed to treat any of his horses without the presence of a board investigator. O'Neill was recently handed a 45-day suspension by California horse racing regulators for doping violations and has a history of violations. To put it simply, New York racing officials want to make sure I'll Have Another wins the Triple Crown because of natural ability.

Courtesy of the New York Times:

Among the requirements for O'Neill, according to a confidential e-mail obtained by The New York Times, are that his horses cannot in any way be treated "without a board investigator present," and that he should not allow treatment of any of his horses "by mouth or in feed without conferring with a board investigator, who will first log the treatment and discuss the reason(s) for treatment."

O'Neill must also provide veterinary records for I'll Have Another and any other horses he may be running over those days at Belmont "no later than 10 a.m." each day after any treatment.

In addition to the constant monitoring, all the horses will be kept in a single barn with significant security. The horses will be guarded with only a limited number of pre-determined people allowed to visit, and each visit will be logged.

For more on the world of horse racing, visit And Down The Stretch They Come and stay tuned to this StoryStream.

Belmont Stakes 2012: I'll Have Another Is Great News For NBC Ratings

The prospects of a Triple Crown winner is an exciting development for race fans everywhere. With horse racing's newest sweetheart, I'll Have Another only a single win at the Belmont Stakes away from capturing the first Crown since 1978, attention will be focused on the event with even casual observers interested in what happens. While this is great for the racers, horses and trainers involved, this news is most exciting to NBC the company who will be televising the event.

According to USA Today, NBC has already decided to take advantage of the opportunity by increasing their coverage (which will be split across NBC and it's sister station NBC Sports Network), from 6 1/2 hours to "more extensive coverage." Apparently the Belmont's ratings expectations more than double in years in which a Triple Crown contender emerges from the Preakness, bouncing from four percent to 10% of TV-watching households-which means I'll Have Another's late victory over Bodemeister probably made NBC much richer than all the gamblers at the track who bet on that particular exacta.

The Belmont Stakes will be run on June 9.

For more on I'll Have Another's quest for the 2012 Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream.

Belmont Stakes 2012: Doug O'Neill, I'll Have Another's Trainer, To Be Suspended After Event

With two down and just one to go, I'll Have Another is on the verge of becoming the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978 at next weekend's Belmont Stakes. But according to the Associated Press, I'll Have Another's trainer Doug O'Neill is set to be suspended by the California racing board after elevated levels of carbon dioxide were found in another horse he also trains.

O'Neill's horse Argenta was immediately red flagged after the Preakness after it appeared that he had been given an illegal performance-enhancer before the race after posting unusual test results. But even after being cleared of any wrongdoing for tampering with the horse himself, O'Neill will still be suspended for 45 days and fined $15,000 for allowing this scenario to happen under his watch. Thankfully for O'Neill, the suspension will not kick in until after the Belmont is wrapped up.

With rival Bodemeister not in the Belmont field, I'll Have Another enters the third leg as a rather significant favorite with a chance to make history. The news of O'Neill's situation certainly isn't enough to take the luster off I'll Have Another's achievements by any stretch, but it remains bothersome that such a dominant horse would have a trainer with something like this following him around. Stay with SB Nation Detroit for more Belmont Stakes updates as the race draws near.

For more on I'll Have Another's attempt at the Triple Crown, stay locked with this StoryStream. And for more horse racing coverage, be sure to check out And Down The Stretch They Come.

Belmont Stakes 2012: Challengers To I'll Have Another At Belmont

Following wins at both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, horse racing's newest sweetheart I'll Have Another is only a win away from capturing the first Triple Crown in horse racing since 1978.

Bodemeister, the horse who I'll Have Another dramatically pulled ahead of in both of the first two legs will not be entering the Belmont Stakes, according to his trainer, Bob Baffert.

His comments via USA Today:

Bob Baffert, winner of five Preakness Stakes and trainer of Bodemeister, said I'll Have Another's win is good for the sport and good for the Belmont.

"The winner's a good horse," Baffert said. "He'll get the respect now that he deserves. I'm proud that as a trainer my horse showed up and he ran his race. He just got beat."

Baffert said he will not send Bodemeister to the Belmont Stakes. "I wasn't going to go, win lose or draw," he said. "I've run him pretty hard."

So now fans are left asking themselves who will try to keep I'll Have Another from accomplishing the Triple Crown dream.

According to BloodHorse.com, fans can expect Union Rags, Dullahan and Mark Valeski to be the primary challengers to I'll Have Another, but the horse could potentially have up to 12 challengers at the mile-and-half track at the Stakes.

BelmontStakes.com expects the following to be likely for the event: Optimizer, Paynter, Alpha, Atigun, Dullahan, Five Sixteen, Guyana Star Dweej, Mark Valeski, Rousing Sermon, Stealcase, Street Life and Union Rags.

For more on I'll Have Another's quest for the 2012 Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream.

Triple Crown 2012: I'll Have Another To Chase Triple Crown Without Bodemeister

Bodemeister not going to Belmont for last Triple Crown race.

2012 Preakness Stakes Payouts: $1 Superfecta Pays Out $424.30

The 2012 Preakness came down to a mesmerizing final stretch, as I'll Have Another edged Bodemeister in a thrilling repeat of the Kentucky Derby finish. Though I'll Have Another entered the race as a 3-to-1 favorite while Bodemeister was set at a slightly more favorable 2-to-1, wise bettors still took home a nice chunk of change for having faith in the Triple Crown contender.

Losers who narrowly missed out on a Bodemeister victory will have to lick their wounds before June 8th's Belmont Stakes rolls around. Here are the payouts from Saturday's race, assuming a $2 bet:

I'll Have Another (1st place) - Win ($8.40), Place ($3.80), Show ($2.80)

Bodemeister (2nd place) - Place ($3.20), Show ($2.80)

Creative Cause (3rd place) - Show ($3.60)

Bettors who hit on the $2 exacta netted $18.60, while the $1 trifecta hauled in $35.40. And, for those very lucky souls, the $1 superfecta brought home a whopping $424.30.

For more in-depth coverage on the 2012 Preakness, be sure to check out And Down The Stretch They Come.

2012 Preakness Winner: I'll Have Another Continues Bid For Triple Crown With Thrilling Win

The 137th running of the Preakness Stakes is under wraps, with I'll Have Another taking home the victory. The entire racing world imploded on itself when I'll Have Another made another burst at the end of the race, reminiscent of its victory in the 2012 Kentucky Derby, when it passed up Bodemeister near the final legs to steal the win.

And it happened yet again for I'll Have Another. Bodemeister was the horse in the lead when I'll Have Another closed in and stole the finish, to the surprise of many, but what will surely be looked on in hindsight as expected. I'll Have Another just validated the rest of the racing season by furthering its bid for the Triple Crown. All eyes will be on Belmont.

Prior to the start of the race, the final odds had Tiger Walk up at 19-1 and Bodemeister down at 2-1, No. 7, but Bodemeister was still the favorite to take it all, with I'll Have Another slightly less-favored at 3-1.

For more in-depth coverage on the 2012 Preakness, be sure to check out And Down The Stretch They Come and join the discussion.

Preakness Stakes 2012: Post Time, TV Schedule, Video And More

The 2012 Preakness from Pimlico race track in Baltimore, Maryland is set to run with Kentucky Derby stars I'll Have Another and Bodemeister ready to lead the 11-horse field.

After sneaking past Bodemeister to win the Derby, I'll Have Another now tries for the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown on Saturday evening currently listed as a 5 to 2 favorite to win the mile and three-sixteenths race. Were the Kentucky Derby that distance, Bodemeister would've won the race and is currently the favorite to win the run for the Black-Eyed Susans at 8 to 5 odds.

The other horses favored to challenge for the win are Creative Cause and Went The Day Well, both listed at 6 to 1 odds to cross the line first.

The post positions as announced on Wednesday night along with the morning odds are as follows:

1. Tiger Walk 30-1
2. Teeth of the Dog 15-1
3. Pretension 30-1
4. Zetterholm 20-1
5. Creative Cause 6-1
6. Went The Day Well 6-1
7. Bodemeister 8-5
8. Daddy Nose Best 12-1
9. I'll Have Another 5-2
10. Optimizer 30-1
11. Cozzetti 30-1

Television coverage of the 2012 Preakness begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC with post time scheduled for 6:17 p.m. ET in Baltimore.

For more on the 2012 Preakness, be sure to check out And Down The Stretch They Come and join the discussion.

Preakness 2012: Pair Of Underdogs Have A Chance To Surprise

Bodemeister opened Friday morning still the favorite to win the 2012 Preakness on Saturday with 7-4 odds. This year's Kentucky Derby winner, I'll Have Another, was a close second with 5-2 odds on the Friday morning line. Adventurous bettors may want to take a chance on a pair of horses with slightly longer odds.

Joe Drape at the New York Times points readers in the direction of Went the Day Well and Creative Cause. Both horses showed well in the Derby but struggled with traffic in a crowded field. Went the Day Well finished fourth, and Creative Cause finished fifth.

Only 11 horses will run in the Preakness, and the thinned out field could benefit both Went the Day Well and Creative Cause. With a cleaner field and any signs of slowness from either of the top two favorites, either horse could challenge for the win.

Went the Day Well opened Friday with 6-1 odds; Creative Cause was at 7-1 in the morning line.

For more on the Preakness Stakes, check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream. Check out And Down The Stretch They Come for more news and analysis on horse racing.

2012 Preakness Odds: Bodemeister, I'll Have Another Still Lead Pack

Preakness Stakes Odds 2012: Kentucky Derby Runner-Up Bodemeister Tapped As Favorite In Preakness

Bodemeister, the horse that placed second at the Kentucky Derby, has been dubbed the favorite to win this weekend's Preakness Stakes.

Here are the odds, in order of post position:

1) Tiger Walk 30-1
2) Teeth Of The Dog 15-1
3) Pretension 30-1
4) Zatterholm 20-1
5) Went The Day Well 6-1
6) Creative Cause 6-1
7) Bodemeister 8-5
8) Daddy Knows Best 12-1
9) I'll Have Another 5-2
10) Optimizer 30-1
11) Cazzetti 30-1

2012 Preakness: Under Armour Founder Enters 'Tiger Walk' Into Preakness

Under Armour founder and owner Kevin Plank will have a horse in Saturday's Preakness Stakes, the second of three legs in the Triple Crown.

According to a Businessweek article, Plank bought a 530-acre training and breeding facility, Sagamore Farm, in 2007. Since then, he's been investing time and money into producing a champion.

The article goes on to say,

After spending millions of dollars to refurbish the farm, Plank is poised to take the next step in his bid to restore Maryland's rich racing tradition.

Having already produced a Breeder's Cup winner and a Belmont Stakes entrant at Sagamore Farm, Plank will enter Tiger Walk in Saturday's Preakness. His ultimate goal, however, is to develop a Triple Crown winner.

Plank figures Maryland, and Sagamore Farm in particular, is as good a place as any to breed the next great horse.

"I don't think there's anybody that owns the right," he said. "We haven't had a Triple Crown winner in 33 years. What other sport hasn't named a legitimate champion in 33 years? So that is far overdue, and no one in Kentucky has done it. These aren't God-given rights limited to growing up in Kentucky. Maryland has that kind of history with Man of War, War Admiral, Native Dancer. So why not us?"

Plank's most famous -- or infamous -- connection to Maryland thus far is the design Under Armour cooked up for the Terrapins' football jerseys last season. Plank went to the University of Maryland.

The Preakness is celebrating its 137th year. For additional information, check out the Preakness home page. A list of horses is available here.

Check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream for more information on the Preakness Stakes.

2012 Preakness: I'll Have Another Trainer Doug O'Neill Answers Questions About Performance Enhancing Drugs

As 138th Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another prepares for the 2012 Preakness in Baltimore, his trainer Doug O'Neill is answering some questions about his horses, drugs, and his record. As the New York Times reported on Thursday:

Last summer, the trainer Doug O’Neill was formally sanctioned after one of his racehorses at Hollywood Park in California tested positive for illegal drugs.

A year before, in 2010, O’Neill was punished for administering an illegal performance-enhancing concoction to a horse he ran in the prestigious Illinois Derby — the third time he had been accused of giving a horse what is known as a milkshake. Four months later, he was accused again of giving a milkshake to a horse in California.

Over 14 years and in four different states, O’Neill received more than a dozen violations for giving his horses improper drugs.

O'Neill has consistently denied ever using a 'milkshake,' but being the trainer of a Triple Crown contender brings with it a level of scrutiny that gives these charges fresh weight. If history is any indication, though, O'Neill should be able to weather the controversy without too much trouble:

In recent years, the issue of whether trainers continued to break the rules in part because the penalties were so minor was exemplified by the case of Richard Dutrow Jr. For years, Dutrow trained horses at tracks across the country despite amassing dozens of drug violations. He paid fines, litigated cases for years and in 2008 found himself the trainer of Big Brown, the winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Last October, New York authorities, citing 70 violations in 15 states, revoked Dutrow’s license, barring him from state racetracks for 10 years. But Dutrow appealed the ruling and continues to race horses effectively enough to be the nation’s 11th-ranked trainer with more than $2.2 million in earnings for 2012.

As the evidence shows, horse racing remains popular despite the issues. The Kentucky Derby was an exciting race, and the 2012 Preakness looks to be no different.

2012 Kentucky Derby: I'll Have Another Ready To Run For Another Leg Of Triple Crown

2012 Kentucky Derby champion I'll Have Another won the "Run for the Roses" with a dramatic come-from-behind win to burst past Bodemeister at the finish line.

The Derby champ will be the star of the Preakness, as there appears to be no doubt I'll Have Another will take his shot at the Triple Crown. Following the win, trainer Doug O'Neil declared in his post-race interview, "Maryland, here we come, baby!"

I'll Have Another needed every bit of the mile and a quarter track at Churchill Downs to win on Saturday, so to keep the Triple Crown hopes alive in Baltimore, the Derby champ will need to start that late close a little earlier since the race is a mile and three-sixteenths.

The lightly bet I'll Have Another went off at the Derby as a 15-to-1 favorite and paid out $32.60 for the win. Those odds won't be as long at the Preakness after the impressive showing in Louisville.

For more on the Derby, check out SB Nation's 2012 Kentucky Derby StoryStream. For more on the world of horse racing, head to And Down The Stretch They Come

Kentucky Derby 2012 Payouts: Race Winner I'll Have Another Pays Out Nicely

It truly did come down to the wire, but the horse from the 19th gate, I'll Have Another, edged No. 6 Bodemeister and No. 5 Dullahan in the final stretch on Saturday to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby in surprising fashion.

I'll Have Another entered the afternoon with a 15-to-1 chance to win according to oddsmakers, and paid off quite handsomely as a somewhat unexpected underdog champion. His ensuing race for the Triple Crown is sure to be a topic of discussion in the near future, but for now, bettors still have plenty of time to cherish their winnings for making such a gusty play. Here is the full payout breakdown:

For more on the Derby, check out SB Nation's 2012 Kentucky Derby StoryStream. For more on the world of horse racing, head to And Down The Stretch They Come

2012 Kentucky Derby Video: Watch I'll Have Another Get The Win

The 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is in the books, and local horse I'll Have Another took home the victory and will begin a bid for the 2012 Triple Crown. I'll Have Another is the first horse to ever win from the No. 19 gate, and what a thrilling win it was.

I'll Have Another was trailing Bodemeister and some others around the back stretch, but started to gain in the final lengths. Bodemeister was ahead, with Trinniberg and Hansen (another local horse) through the back stretch and was pushing very, very hard to get the win. But I'll Have Another came up hard and took the win by half a length.

Below, we've got video of the whole race. You can see I'll Have Another grab the lead right at the end, with Bodemeister's jockey frantically trying to keep his horse in it. An exciting finish to be sure.

For more on the world of horse racing, head to And Down The Stretch They Come. For more on the 2012 Kentucky Derby, keep it locked to this StoryStream.

2012 Kentucky Derby Results: I'll Have Another Begins Pursuit Of Triple Crown Following Victory

I'll Have Another has won the 138th Kentucky Derby following a showdown with Bodemeister down the stretch on Saturday afternoon. The Kentucky-bred horse brought the first victory for jockey Mario Gutierrez and trainer Doug O'Neill. Reddam Racing owns the horse.

Bodemeister and Trinniberg dueled for most of the race, but I'll Have Another emerged from seventh place and caught up with Bodemeister by the start of the final 100 yards. Dullahan also made a late charge, but I'll Have Another was able to separate from the pack and pick up the victory.

Here are the top three finishers:

WIN: I'll Have Another
PLACE: Bodemeister
SHOW: Dullahan

This will now set up for an interesting showdown between I'll Have Another and Bodemeister in two weeks at the Preakness Stakes. Will I'll Have Another move closer to becoming the first horse in 34 years to win the Triple Crown of horse racing?

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2012 Kentucky Derby Odds: Most Recent Live Odds Still Favor Union Rags

With the 138 Kentucky Derby only hours away, the most recent live odds still have Union Rags as the favorite to win the race with a 9:2 line. For the most part, the odds haven't shifted too much with the exception of a few horses seeing minimal changes.

As of the time of this post, the pool total was valued at $8,820,134.04; here are the most recent live odds on who the winner will be (the horses are listed based upon poll position):

1. Daddy Long Legs; Morning line: 30-1, Current Odds: 23-1

2. Optimizer; Morning line: 50-1, Current odds: 35-1

3. Take Charge Indy; Morning line: 15-1, Current Odds: 10-1

4. Union Rags; Morning Line: 9-2, Current Odds: 9-2

5. Dullhan; Morning Line: 8-1, Current Odds: 10-1

6. Bodemeister; Morning Line: 4-1, Current Odds: 7-1

7. Rousing Sermon; Morning Line: 50-1, Current Odds: 36-1

8. Creative Cause; Morning Line: 12-1, Current Odds: 11-1

9. Trinniberg; Morning Line: 50-1, Current Odds: 39-1

10. Daddy Nose Best; Morning Line: 15-1, Current Odds: 12-1

11. Alpha; Morning Line: 15-1 , Current Odds: 20-1

12. Prospective; Morning Line: 30-1, Current Odds: 60-1

13. Went The Day Well; Morning Line: 20-1, Current Odds: 26-1

14. Hansen; Morning Line:10-1, Current odds: 13-1

15. Gemologist; Morning Line: 6-1, Current Odds: 9-1

16. El Padrino; Morning Line: 20-1, Current Odds: 26-1

17. Done Talking; Morning Line: 50-1, Current Odds: 31-1

18. Sabercat; Morning Line: 30-1, Current Odds: 33-1

19. I'll Have Another; Morning Line: 12-1, Current odds, 13-1

20. Liaison, Morning Line: 50-1, Current odds: 53-1

For more on the world of horse racing, head to And Down The Stretch They Come. For more on the2012 Kentucky Derby, keep it locked to this StoryStream.

Kentucky Derby 2012: Watch Online Action From Churchill Downs

The 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is set to go off at 6:24 p.m. EDT on Saturday evening with preliminary races running throughout the day. Television coverage of the prelims may be seen on HRTV and NBC but you can also watch the Derby and other races live through any internet-enabled viewing device. Online viewing is legal through the official websites streaming the races.

The Kentucky Derby and other races can be viewed through Twinspires.com live online. The first race started at 10:30 a.m. EDT on this site which allows viewing up to five races at a time on the same screen.

NBC is offering online coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT which will show the main races and pre-race coverage of the Run for the Roses from this link.

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2012 Kentucky Derby: Post Time, TV Schedule, Video And More

With 9:2 odds, Union Rags leads a field of 20 horses.

2012 Kentucky Derby Odds: Union Rags Now Favored

Early betting action throughout the day Friday changed the odds for the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Changes between the latest odds and Friday morning line saw one favorite solidify its position and another favorite fall off considerably.

Union Rags went from a 9-2 favorite to a 6-1 favorite through the course of the day on Friday. Bodemeister fell off, dropping from 4-1 to 8-1 a day before the race.

Odds will likely change again on Saturday when action picks up in earnest as the race nears. Here are the latest odds for Friday:

Daddy Long Legs 26-1
Optimizer 31-1
Take Charge Indy 8-1
Union Rags 6-1
Dullahan 10-1
Bodemeister 8-1
Rousing Sermon 19-1
Creative Cause 12-1
Trinniberg 41-1
Daddy Nose Best 14-1
Alpha 22-1
Prospective 69-1
Went The Day Well 20-1
Hansen 7-1
Gemologist 8-1
El Padrino 33-1
Done Talking 34-1
Sabercat 38-1
I'll Have Another 17-1
Liaison 60-1

For a guide to betting and glossary of betting terms for horse racing, check out this handy guide from SB Nation.

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2012 Kentucky Derby: Post Position, Horse, Jockey And Trainer Profiles

The 2012 Kentucky Derby will be run this weekend and now that the post positions have been set for the field, the clear favorite is Bodemeister to win at 4-1 odds with Union Rags a close second choice at 9-2 odds, Gemologist is third at 6-1 odds and Dullahan rounds out the top four at 8-1 odds.

But what do we know about these horses?

Reuters.com has complete profiles of every horse in the field which includes post position, the horse itself, the jockey and the trainer. Here's the profile on Hansen and I'll Have Another:

14. HANSEN; Ramon Dominguez; Mike Maker; Was named last season's best two year old after capping an unbeaten three-run campaign by winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. A rare all-white colt, he won just one of his three starts this season and was a close second in the other two.

19. I'LL HAVE ANOTHER; Mario Gutierrez; Doug O'Neill; Won debut as a juvenile but did not win again until this season, where he is unbeaten in two starts. At his last run, he won the Santa Anita Derby after tracking three wide.

The race is set for Saturday at 5 ET, although there is a bevy of TV coverage before and after the actual race.

For more coverage of the Kentucky Derby, check out SB Nation's Kentucky Derby Stream.For more on the world of horse racing, head to And Down The Stretch They Come.

2012 Kentucky Derby Odds: Bodemeister Favorite, Union Rags Second

This 138th running of the annual Kentucky Derby will be held this Saturday, May 5th. With the post position announcements being released on Wednesday, Bodemeister is the early favorite to win with four to one odds.

Here's a look at the latest odds, sorted by post position:

1. Daddy Long Legs: 30/1
2. Optimizer: 50/1
3. Take Charge Indy: 10/1
4. Union Rags: 9/2
5. Dullahan: 8/1
6. Bodemeister: 4/1
7. Rousing Sermon: 50/1
8. Creative Cause: 12/1
9. Trinniberg: 50/1
10. Daddy Nose Best: 15/1
11. Alpha: 15/1
12. Prospective: 30/1
13. Went The Day Well: 20/1
14. Hansen: 10/1
15. Gemologist: 6/1
16. El Padrino: 20/1
17. Done Talking: 50/1
18. Sabercat: 30/1
19. I'll Have Another: 12/1
20. Liaison: 50/1

2012 Kentucky Derby: Inexperienced Bodemeister And Union Rags Lead Field

There is no "super horse" in this year's field, but instead there are several horses that might win the first leg of this year's triple crown. Leading that pack are the two favorites, Bodemeister and Union Rags, both of which have become popular picks among experts.

While Bodemeister currently has the best odds of any horse, he doesn't have as much experience racing as a typical contender.

Bodemeister turned in the most dominating performance of any Derby prospect with a 9 1-2-length victory in the Arkansas Derby. He's never been worse than second in his four career starts, all this year. He didn't race as a 2-year-old and no colt since Apollo in 1882 has won the Kentucky Derby without running at 2.

Meanwhile, Union Rags has raced just twice in his career.

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2012 Kentucky Derby Post Positions: I'll Have Another, Hansen Have Tough Draw

I'll Have Another will try to do what no horse has done at Churchill Downs, win from the 19th post position.