2012 Preakness Contenders: Bodemeister

Horse: Bodemeister
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pedigree: Empire Maker out of a Storm Cat mare (Untouched Talent)
Career Record: 5-2-3-0
Career Earnings: $1,104,800
Notable Races: G1-Kentucky Derby (2^nd); G1-Arkansas Derby (1^st, 9 ½ lengths); G2-San Felipe (2^nd)

Can He Win The Preakness?

When you consider how fast Bodemeister ran the first six furlong of the Kentucky Derby (1:09 4/5ths) it’s ultra-impressive that he only gave up the lead inside the final hundred yards. It was a magnificent performance from a colt that has proven that he’s a force to be reckoned with, even when he decides to set absurd fractions.

There’s a word that speed handicappers use to describe a horse that runs a big race and then comes back to regress in their next start: “bounce.” Even though Bodemeister ran a huge race in the Derby, and had to do all the dirty work on the front-end, he doesn’t appear to be a candidate for a “bounce” at the Preakness. If you look at Bodemeister’s speed figures (whether Beyer, Equibase or Bris) they have stayed relatively consistent all sprint. His Derby performance, while impressive given the pace circumstances, wasn’t an out-of-the-ordinary effort, on paper. As a result, we shouldn’t be surprised if Bodemeister is able to unleash another strong run at Pimlico.