MAIN Recreation Sports Horse Racing 2012 Preakness Stakes

This year marked the 137th running of the $1 million Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown held every third Saturday in May.

By tradition, three year olds run the one and 3/16th mile track at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland with more than a dozen horses traditionally lined up for the 2012 Preakness Stakes. This year, 11 horses were entered including Derby winner I'll Have Another.

2012 Preakness odds and post positions were announced on Wednesday, May 16 with Derby favorite leading the pack at 8-5 odds, followed by Derby winner I'll Have Another at 5-2.

On race day, all the televised action took place from Pimlico on NBC at 4:30 PM ET on Saturday, May 19, 2012 with post time approx. 6:20 PM ET.

Preakness 2012 contenders

As I'll Have Another became the big winner at the 2012 Kentucky Derby, there was a wide open field at the Preakness with several other Derby contenders (other than I'll Have Another) to join the lineup this year. They include Derby 2nd place winner Bodemeister, 4th place Derby finisher Went the Day Well, and 5th place finisher Creative Cause.

Other 3-year-olds running in 2012 Preakness were Tiger Walk, Teeth of the Dog, Pretension, Zetterholm, and Cozzetti.

Preakness 2012 recap

Despite all the pundits favoring Bodemesiter, it was Derby winner I'll Have Another who pulled ahead in the final seconds to take the win by a nose! This puts the champion horse in contention for a Triple Crown win at Belmont, scheduled for Saturday, June 6.

Coming in second was Bodemesiter, followed by Creative Cause in third and Zetterholm in fourth.

Meanwhile, Preakness payouts were $8.40 to WIN, $3.80 to PLACE, and $2.80 to SHOW

The Run for the Preakness around the Web:

Elsewhere on the Web, learn more about the race for the Black Eyed Susans (Maryland's state flower) with a look at the odds, Preakness Stakes' most famous races in stories and pictures, along with Preakness party ideas, and background history on the famous Woodlawn Vase winner's trophy ...

Preakness at Pimlico - The scene of all the action with seating, ticket and parking info, visitor accommodations and related Maryland attractions, feature stories and profiles, history and trivia, and lots more as the big race draws near...

Preakness Celebration - Horse around in Baltimore, with info on the traditional Hot Air Balloon Festival, Preakness Parade, the 5K Run, concert series, the Pee Wee Preakness and lots more including video clips, photos and complete event calendar leading up to the race.

Preakness Stakes - Complete Wikipedia overview including history and controversy, as well as facts and information on the modern race, including a complete list of winners, most wins and records with related resources.

The Woodlawn Vase and the Preakness Stakes - The famous winner's trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. with a long and fascinating history, clickable photo.

also see -> Kentucky Derby | Belmont

Preakness Party Ideas

Preakness Party Tips - Complete recipes for those luscious Maryland crab cakes and mixology for the Black-Eyed Susan, the traditional drink of the Preakness...

Triple Crown Recipes at StarChefs - The complete menu including Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes party ideas with a nod to the Preakness in a lip-smacking recipe for Maryland Fried Chicken and Maryland crab cakes.

Preakness Cocktail - A scotch concoction to help celebrate the day.

Millemark Equine Postcard Center - Say 'hay!' with a selection of lovely photos to send as free e-invitations to the party.