Preakness 2015: Early Odds and Predictions for Triple Crown's Second Leg

The 141st Kentucky Derby is in the books, and following American Pharoah's big win, it's time to take a look ahead at the odds for the 2015 Preakness Stakes and make some early predictions for the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Last year, Victor Espinoza rode California Chrome to a win in Baltimore to keep the Triple Crown hopes alive, and he'll try to do the same this year with American Pharoah, who has been cleared to run in the Preakness, via the Associated Press:

Bob Baffert's colt will undoubtedly be the pre-race favourite, and the trainer has never won the Run of the Roses and gone on to lose in the Preakness. Here are the early odds for American Pharoah going into the race, courtesy of Odds Shark:

Preakness Odds	Triple Crown Odds
Win: EVEN	Yes: 9-4
Lose: 71-100	No: 29-100

International Star Will Make An Impact

International Star was scratched from the Kentucky Derby just hours before the race got underway, after heat was detected when a veterinarian took off the colt's front left shoe. It was a major blow to owner Ken Ramsey, who released a statement via the Derby's official website:

"

It’s a devastating blow to come this far. I thought I had a decent shot at winning the race. But it happened to A.P. Indy and a lot of other horses before. It’s bad news for the owners and the family that pinned so many hopes on finally getting to the other side of the racetrack (to the infield Kentucky Derby winner’s circle).

"

However, as reported by Jennie Rees of the Louisville Courier-Journal, the points leader entering the Derby will run in the Preakness:

International Star wasn't seen as one of the favourites to win the Derby, but he was a popular pick with punters as a potential dark horse. The colt will be fresher than his opponents when he arrives at Baltimore, and if he runs smoothly in the week leading up to the race, punters will once again hang their hopes on the prized horse.

He may not have the raw speed to keep up with American Pharoah, but with fresher legs, International Star should finish in the money.

Dortmund Will Run

Fans and pundits have been wondering whether Baffert's other Derby favourite, Dortmund, will start at Pimlico Racecourse, with an eye on the upcoming Belmont Derby. Handicapping expert Keeneland Dan is among them:

The giant colt set the pace early at Churchill Downs before he was caught in the final straight, and it was clear he put in a lot of work during the race. ESPN's Tommy Smyth suggested it was all a tactical ploy, and something we could see at Pimlico as well:

If it was indeed a case of in-race tactics, it worked out quite well. Firing Line didn't tire nearly as much as most will have expected, but Dortmund's early pace opened up tons of room for American Pharoah and relegated the likes of Frosted and Mubtaahij to also-rans.

Firing Line will likely run at Pimlico as well, and on a slightly shorter track, the colt should have plenty of juice to once again turn it into an exciting race.

Dortmund could even surprise a few by winning the Preakness, given the shorter course and his long strides that should serve him well in the final furlongs. But in order to do so, he'll have to get past stablemate American Pharoah.

American Pharoah Will Win The Preakness

Again, Baffert has never won the Kentucky Derby and gone on to lose the Preakness. Just like last year with California Chrome, American Pharoah looks to be a cut above the rest, and while the finish at Churchill Downs was a close one, it was obvious Espinoza steered his horse wide and never doubted the outcome of the race.

Entering the Preakness, pundits like Twinspires.com's Doug Salvatore are expecting more of the same:

American Pharoah has raced less than California Chrome did last year, so he should be fresher. Chrome's win at Pimlico last year wasn't as dominant as his run at Churchill Downs, but he still easily got the job done against a field that was missing a handful of key contenders.

The same should happen this year, even if the field looks stronger than it was last year. But no one is doubting American Pharoah, who is―predictably―being pushed as the one who might finally break the Triple Crown drought, via USA Today:

Whether he has the stamina to win the longer Belmont Stakes against fresher competition remains to be seen, but unless one of his competitors runs a fantastic race and American Pharoah disappoints tremendously, the Preakness should be his.

Follow @ReverschPass