American Pharoah favored to win Preakness, set up Triple Crown try

BALTIMORE – American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby, yet didn’t look unbeatable, as he had in his previous races. His trainer says he struggled. His jockey went to the whip about 30 times to urge him on in the stretch. His owner says the Derby wasn’t even close to his best effort.

And now it’s time for the Preakness, where a victory today would set up American Pharoah for a Triple Crown chance at the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. It also would give trainer Bob Baffert an unprecedented fourth Triple try.

Is American Pharoah up to the task?

“That horse didn’t really get his A-game together in the Kentucky Derby, and he still won,” marveled Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who trains long shot Mr. Z, on Friday morning outside the stakes barn at Pimlico Race Course. “That’s a scary thought.”

American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat is the 4-5 morning-line favorite in an eight-horse field, and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza. Stablemate Dortmund, third in the Derby, is the second choice at 7-2, and Derby runner-up Firing Line is 4-1.

Dortmund also is trained by Baffert, setting up the possibility of a trainer spoiling his own Triple Crown chance. It happened 20 years ago to Lukas, but Baffert says of Dortmund: “He deserves another chance.”

Zayat, a three-time Derby runner-up before winning two weeks ago, is confident American Pharoah will prove again he’s the horse of a lifetime.

“I don’t believe the Derby showed the sheer brilliance of American Pharoah,” Zayat said. “I hoping you will see the real AP again on Saturday. He is giving me all signs that he is ready again.”

His colt isn’t the only one ready to go.

Dortmund, with Martin Garcia aboard, is looking to avenge his first loss after six wins; Firing Line ran second to Dortmund twice, then fell a length short of American Pharoah in the Derby.

“Hopefully we can turn the tables on American Pharaoh, the same as we did Dortmund,” said Gary Stevens, Firing Line’s jockey.

Divining Rod comes into the 1 3/16-mile Preakness after winning the Lexington Stakes and skipping the Derby. The colt is owned by Gretchen and Roy Jackson’s Lael Stables, and marks the Jacksons’ first entry in the Preakness since 2006, when Derby winner Barbaro shattered a leg at the start of the race and was euthanized in January 2007.

“We’ve put all that behind us and can’t wait to see what Divining Rod can do,” Roy Jackson said this week. “We hope he’ll be competitive, but he deserves to be in the race and given a chance.”

The field, from the rail out, is: American Pharoah, Dortmund, Mr. Z, Danzig Moon, Tale of Verve, Bodhisattva, Diving Rod and Firing Line.

The post-position draw did not go Baffert’s way, with his horses getting the two inside posts.

History says he has reason for concern. Tabasco Cat, in 1994, was the last Preakness winner out of the No. 1 post. Snow Chief, in 1986, was the last to win from the No. 2.

The forecast for today calls for temperatures in the 80s, with a 40 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms.