Preakness 2015: Known Odds, Schedule and American Pharoah Predictions
The Kentucky Derby is notorious in its difficulty for the pre-race favourite to triumph, so when a well-fancied horse does cross the line first at Churchill Downs, the excitement surrounding it quickly turns into a whirlwind of hyperbole.
In this case, it’s American Pharoah, who delivered on expectations to romp to victory in the showpiece race before the synonymous twin spires. For the Bob Baffert-trained colt, focus will now shift to the second leg of the Triple Crown, with the Preakness Stakes edging ever closer.
Here’s an early look at some of the odds for the blue-riband event at Pimlico Race Course and an examination of American Pharoah’s chances of taking victory in the shortest of the three illustrious chases.
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| American Pharoah to win Preakness Stakes | Evs | 71/100 |
| American Pharoah to win Triple Crown | 9/4 | 29/100 |
| Wednesday, May 13 | 6 p.m. | Preakness Stakes post position draw |
| Friday, May 15 | 3:30 p.m. | Black Eyed Susan Stakes |
| Saturday, May 16 | 4:30 p.m. | Preakness Stakes |
For full listings click here. Odds accurate as of 12:50 p.m. (BST), May 5.
Preakness Win Will Kick Pharoah Hype into Overdrive
As soon as American Pharoah crossed the line first to take glory in the Derby, thoughts turned to the Preakness Stakes. Naturally, expectations have started to grow on the back of that clinical display.
In truth, there’s little surprise. After all, it’s been 37 years since we were last witness to a Triple Crown winner—that was Affirmed in 1978—and while it’s always enjoyably to see an outsider triumph in a race, there have been plenty of horses that have won the Derby down the years who simply aren’t equipped for a charge towards the Triple Crown.
But according to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated, Pharoah has the class to win all three:
While there is naturally a clamour amongst the racing world to see a horse end the drought for a Triple Crown champion, it’s worth noting that there is still a lot of work to be done. Indeed, down the years we’ve seen plenty of legendary colts—as recent as California Chrome last year—be cost by a solitary moment of misfortune in their respective pursuits.
The man who was on board California Chrome last year was the jockey who guided Pharoah to a win in the Run for the Roses. As such, Victor Espinoza is probably the ideal man to spearhead this charge, with the memories of glory at Churchill Downs and Pimlico still fresh from 12 months ago.
Scott Jagow of Paulick Report thinks that with the Mexican jockey on board, the colt has a brilliant chance of taking all three:
History shows us that backing up a win in Kentucky with victory at Preakness is not too difficult. Indeed, 12 horses have completely that coveted double in the years since Affirmed sampled a triumvirate of titles, including two—California Chrome in 2014 and I’ll Have Another in 2012—in the last three years.
Getting the win in the longer distance Belmont Stakes has besmirched the chances of many a horse in the past. But Bruce Beck of NBC thinks American Pharoah and Espinoza will head to the New York occasion with a chance of completing an historic treble:
It’s tough to disagree with this assessment. While the margin of victory for Baffert’s crown jewel was just one length in the Derby, it seemed as though Espinoza kept plenty in reserve until the latter stages of the race. As such, a similar distance at Preakness should see American Pharoah thrive once again.
The challenge at Belmont—a 12-furlong chase—is a much sterner test, as is evident by previous results. This horse seems to have the requisite set of adaptable attributes needed to win all three, but it’s absolutely imperative that the focus remains squarely on Preakness.
Those associated with American Pharoah must ensure don’t they get too ahead of themselves in their quest for the box set of marquee titles.
Preakness Prediction for American Pharoah: Winner
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