Derby winner likely for Pimlico

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lured by the promise of carrots, American Pharoah was led out of the barn to face a throng of cameras.

Reluctant at first, the Kentucky Derby winner perked up when trainer Bob Baffert offered the colt’s favorite snack. American Pharoah pricked his ears upon hearing the click of cameras and struck a regal pose.

“The good ones,” Baffert said Sunday, “they love the clicks.”

And the white-haired trainer has got himself a good one.

“He’s just so good and so special,” Baffert said. “He was born with that talent.”

Now he and his fourth Derby winner are likely headed to Baltimore for the Preakness in two weeks, the next stop on the Triple Crown trail. Baffert has won that race five times, most recently in 2010.

Third-place finisher Dortmund, who led much of the way, is probable to run in the 1 3/16-mile race on May 16, too.

“The way he was traveling down the backside, I thought maybe he was going to win it,” Baffert said.

He will decide Dortmund’s next race for sure after talking with owner Kaleem Shah.

“I’m sure he’s going to want a little revenge,” Baffert said. “His horse ran a really good race.”

The trainer has no mixed emotions about possibly running American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat, and Dortmund against each other a second time.

“My job is to get my people there if the horse is doing well,” Baffert said. “They understand that sometimes I’ll beat them with another horse. If Dortmund turns the table on him, so be it.”

He plans to keep American Pharoah and Dortmund at Churchill Downs before sending them to Baltimore.