Orb's Pedigree Will Be Tested by Top Contenders in 2013 Preakness

After coming from behind to win the 2013 Kentucky Derby in thrilling fashion, Orb inevitably faces questions about whether he can win the Triple Crown for the first time since 1978.

The Preakness Stakes figures to be Orb's toughest challenge to make history, given his pedigree. Orb does have some speed in his family (most notably, Kauai Katie and Red Bullet), but he's much better suited to win longer distances, per his dam Lady Liberty's lineage (her sire was 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled).

But if Orb gets past the Preakness Stakes, don't be surprised if the horse does capture that elusive Triple Crown this year.

Of course, Orb has plenty of competition at the 2013 Preakness, including two horses that raced at the Kentucky Derby. 

Here are the horses I see challenging Orb the most at Pimlico in Baltimore.

Goldencents

Highlighting the fact that Goldencents placed 17th at the Kentucky Derby is only looking at part of the picture.

The reality is, Goldencents' pedigree didn't project him to finish that well at 1 1/4 miles anyway. His sire, Into Mischief, only raced at seven furlongs at three years old. His dam, Golden Works, only won at six furlongs. And her sire, Banker's Gold, was more effective as a sprinter at four years of age.

But the Preakness fits more into Goldencents' style. At 1 3/16 miles, it's a shorter race that awards the speedsters in the field. And, don't forget, Goldencents was leading the pack along with Palace Malice before falling back at the Derby.

Before the Kentucky Derby, Goldencents had won two of his three races in 2013, including the Santa Anita Derby. This is still a horse that can do damage at a shorter distance.

Governor Charlie

Governor Charlie has only three career starts—all this year—but he's won two of them, including a record-setting performance at Sunland Park in March.

At Sunland Park, Governor Charlie won by five lengths, posting a time of 1:47.54 in 1 1/8 miles, the fastest time in stakes history. This is a lightly raced horse with plenty of speed to win the Preakness.

Governor Charlie's pedigree is also incredibly impressive. His sire, Midnight Lute, won consecutive races at the Breeders' Cup Sprint and was champion sprinter of 2007. 

Itsmyluckyday

Itsmyluckyday wasn't very, well, lucky at the Kentucky Derby, finishing in 15th place, but, like Goldencents, stamina has never been the horse's forte, either.

The pedigree of Itsmyluckyday projected the horse to run out of gas at Churchill Downs. Itsmyluckyday's sire, Lawyer Ron, excelled as a four-year-old at 1 1/8 miles, but he never was able to win at 1 1/4 miles. Itsmyluckyday's dam, Viva La Slew, never won past a mile in her career.

But, like Goldencents, Itsmyluckyday can turn on the afterburners. The horse won consecutive starts at one mile and 1 1/16 miles to start out the 2013 campaign.