Kentucky Derby 2015 Winner: Early Predictions for Final 2 Legs of Triple Crown
The dominating narrative each year coming out of the Kentucky Derby is the same: Will the Triple Crown drought finally end?
With American Pharoah coming out on top in a close race, all eyes now move to the Preakness at Pimlico Downs in Baltimore and whether or not the dream can be kept alive heading into the third leg.
The two-week wait between races is tough, but it allows time for speculation and predictions about what is set to occur in the final two legs of the Triple Crown.
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American Pharoah captures the Preakness
It wasn’t the most dominant performance in the history of the Kentucky Derby, but it didn’t have to be for American Pharoah to capture the hearts and the minds of the nation.
Never falling out of the top three in the race and heading in as the odds-on favorite, all eyes were on Pharoah throughout, and the horse gave everyone a show to remember. Although it wasn’t the fastest performance, a close one-length victory made for an entertaining race that will build intrigue heading into the Preakness.
Although, a lot can change in the two weeks between races—which can often feel like an eternity. As things stand now, Pharoah is in prime position to claim the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
The closeness of the Kentucky Derby says more about how deep the field was than Pharoah’s inability to pull away from the pack.
Things should be close again at Pimlico, but with the similar race length and Pharoah’s showing at the Derby, the Preakness should be added to the horse’s record as well.
Dortmund will keep the race interesting in Baltimore
Even though it was Firing Line who pushed American Pharoah through the finish line in the Kentucky Derby, it was third-place Dortmund who posed the biggest threat throughout.
Controlling the early pace of the race and leading until the final turn, Dortmund finished in third, only three lengths back, and he will likely be in a similar position come May 16 at the Preakness.
Expect a similar style race in Baltimore, with Dortmund pushing out in front early and setting the pace for the race. The horse should lead for most of the run, and it won’t be until late that a horse will be able to overtake him.
Undefeated before the Derby, Dortmund has proven time and again what it is capable of, and he should be the one who proves the biggest test for Pharoah to overcome in Baltimore.
Pharoah is likely to claim the second race, but Dortmund will keep things close until the end and could surprise some people by walking away victorious.
The Triple Crown drought remains intact
Can a horse complete the Triple Crown or will we be left another year to speculate and wonder? It's a question posed every year.
Since Affirmed claimed the Triple Crown for the 11th time in history back in 1978, there have been 13 horses to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before falling in the lengthy Belmont Stakes.
As races of similar length, it should come as no surprise that horses who can succeed at Churchill Downs also find success at Pimlico. But the Belmont is significantly longer and a different type of race entirely, which makes it that much harder to claim all three legs.
A horse will someday recapture the Triple Crown, but it is easier to remain doubtful and be pleasantly surprised if, and when, the achievement is reached.
If American Pharoah does win the Preakness, then the horse will be one of the strongest contenders to claim the crown in recent memory, but the safe bet is to go with the field and wait for another year.
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