Preakness 2015 Horses: Entry List, Vegas Odds and Dark-Horse Favorites
The 2015 Preakness Stakes is where Triple Crown hopes either come to die or flourish brighter than ever. American Pharoah will learn that one way or another Saturday.
After winning the Kentucky Derby just two short weekends ago, the onus is on American Pharoah to deliver the sport's first Triple Crown since Affirmed did it in 1978. And to say there will be a hungry heap of contenders nipping at his heels during the final two races would be putting it lightly.
American Pharoah is a big favorite entering Pimlico Race Track, and for good reason, but it's no secret that this year's Triple Crown circuit has a number of world-class horses capable of ending it all. Let's take a look at who all of them are and attempt to target a couple of dark horses.
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2015 Preakness Stakes Odds
| American Pharoah | 5-6 |
| Firing Line | 5-1 |
| Dortmund | 11-2 |
| Carpe Diem | 12-1 |
| Competitive Edge | 14-1 |
| Materiality | 16-1 |
| Danzig Moon | 20-1 |
| Divining Rod | 22-1 |
| Bodhisattva | 40-1 |
| Stanford | 40-1 |
| Grand Bill | 50-1 |
| Tale of Verve | 66-1 |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated May 11. Field isn't official until Wednesday, but all above horses listed as contenders on the Preakness' official site.
Dark-Horse Favorites
Danzig Moon: 20-1
The Preakness field is dominated by the trio of Derby-placers—American Pharoah, Dortmund, Firing Line—as well as a number of second-tier horses that might skip the second leg altogether for rest. That makes Danzig Moon one of the sure bets as a dark horse.
The horse's camp confirmed that he's running in the Preakness over the weekend, as reported by Blood-Horse. While many other horses that ran in the Derby are opting to rest for the Belmont Stakes, Danzig Moon is trudging through.
After finishing fifth and only 6 ½ lengths back of the victor, American Phaorah, at Churchill Downs, Danzig Moon is continuing to look better and better in every appearance. He didn't have enough to catch up to the top contenders at the Derby but more than showed his ability against the 13 horses that finished behind him.
The Ontario-bred horse trained by Mark Casse has a track record of success, and he should be able to lean on the experience at Churchill Downs to catch up to the opposition.
Tale of Verve: 66-1
He's a late addition and undoubtedly an afterthought heading into the Preakness, but Tale of Verve could very well sneak his way into the top three finishers.
After being eligible for the Kentucky Derby a few weeks back, the maiden wasn't able to race, unsuccessfully waiting for two scratches before race day to push his name into the field. But there's no need to wait for such a phenomena at Pimlico—Tale of Verve is running.
Tale of Verve may not be a winner—it took six races to notch his first victory—but he's looking dominant in training. He ran five furlongs in a time that beat 20 of the 25 horses that also hit the track Sunday, per Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal.
"Listen, he’s a sound, healthy, fit horse," trainer Dallas Stewart told Jennie Rees of the Courier-Journal. "He’s won at a mile and three-sixteenths. We feel like he’s fit enough for the race. Sure, we’ve got a lot to prove. But there’s only way to do it and that’s to get in the race. I’m looking forward to running him to see where we’re at.”
The odds are remarkably low, but that only makes the gamble less daunting to make. And when it comes to finishing in the top three in a relatively shallow field of 10-12 horses, Tale of Verve could produce a massive payday.
Divining Rod: 22-1
Keeping in line with Kentucky Derby misses who figure to be rested and have the legs capable of beating the favorites, Divining Rod is eyeing a big chance at Pimlico.
The horse won the Lexington Stakes in Keeneland back in April before missing the Derby. Not only has it been more than a month since he's raced, but Divining Rod is coming off a victory and has top-three finishes for all five races of his career.
It may be trainer Arnaud Delacour's first Preakness, but he sounds very confident in his horse, per Blood-Horse:
"We've had no setbacks, no major issues, so I feel good about it. Of course, it's a big race. It's a step up. It's not an easy race, but as far as the preparations and the way he looks, I'm very happy with everything."
Blood-Horse also reported that Delacour and Co. will be looking for a new jockey in the days leading up to the race, with jockey Julien Leparoux hopping aboard Danzig Moon. But with horses sure to withdraw in the coming days, Divining Rod should have his pick of capable jockeys.
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