The 2012 Preakness Stakes is almost upon us, with post time set for 6:18 p.m. ET on Saturday. The second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown is always a huge draw, and it looks like this year Pimlico Race Course may draw in more fans than ever before. Via Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun:

Preakness had 107,000 last year and Jockey Club pres Tom Chuckas says: "I would be disappointed if we're not @ 115,000" today. #Preakness

— Jeff Barker (@sunjeffbarker) May 19, 2012

Here is a shot of the already quite crowded infield at Pimlico, from Rick Snider of the Washington Examiner.

Bodemeister, the runner up in the Kentucky Derby, is the favorite to win the race at 8/5 odds, with Derby winner I'll Have Another the second best bet, at 5/2 odds.

NBC Sports Network started their Preakness coverage at 2:30 p.m. ET, with NBC picking up the event at 4:30 p.m. ET.

For more on the Preakness Stakes and the race for the Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream and check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a A Beginner's Guide To Following Horse Racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.