Breaking Down Biggest Threats to American Pharoah's Pursuit of Triple Crown

After an impressive showing in the Kentucky Derby, it is only natural that horse racing enthusiasts are talking about American Pharoah's Triple Crown chances. Accomplishing the biggest honor in the sport won't be easy, though, due largely to a strong Preakness Stakes field.

American Pharoah needed a stirring come-from-behind performance to beat out Dortmund and Firing Line at Churchill Downs. It just so happens that both of them, as well as some intriguing newcomers, will be among American Pharoah's opponents at Pimlico Race Course.

Also, even if American Pharoah manages to win the Preakness Stakes, he'll also have to win the Belmont Stakes, which has proven to be the most difficult leg of the Triple Crown.

The Preakness is undoubtedly first and foremost on trainer Bob Baffert's mind, however, and here is a look at the horses that have the best chance of upsetting American Pharoah.

American Pharoah's Biggest Threats

Dortmund

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Although he led the bulk of the Kentucky Derby, the previously undefeated Dortmund was unable to hold on for the duration of the race as he faded late and finished third. Even so, Dortmund is a definite contender to win the Preakness, and he will force American Pharoah to run his best.

The dynamic between American Pharoah and Dortmund is an interesting one since they are both trained by Baffert. While Baffert could have taken the easy way out by lobbying against Dortmund's entry into the field, he has instead decided to give both of his impressive colts a chance.

American Pharaoh owner Ahmed Zayat fully supports that choice because he feels as though his horse is the cream of the crop, according to Jennie Rees of the Courier-Journal:

"

I'm a competitive guy by nature. I've never ducked anything or (taken the) easy way. I want to earn it, and I believe we have the best horse. So if I'm the best horse, I don't care who (the competition) is.

I think we're the better horse. We beat him [Dortmund] before. I'm hopeful we can beat him again. I honestly think we have to earn it. I don't duck anything. It's not our style. I love creating a stallion. But he's already a four-time Grade I winner. So I just want him to earn it on the track and keep getting respect and let him run against the best.

"

Zayat's mentality is undoubtedly noble, but it can be argued that he is a bit overconfident considering just how dominant Dortmund was prior to the Kentucky Derby.

Now that jockey Martin Garcia has a good handle on how he should run Dortmund, it stands to reason that the massive horse could be much better at the Preakness than he was at the Derby. If that is the case, then he will give American Pharoah a true run for his money.

Firing Line

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Dortmund was viewed as American Pharoah's toughest competition prior to the Kentucky Derby, and while he certainly held his own, it was Firing Line who came closest to knocking off the favorite.

The Simon Callaghan-trained horse ran down Dortmund and very nearly held off American Pharoah down the stretch, but the eventual winner proved to be a bit too much. After such a close finish, though, the Firing Line camp likely carries a ton of confidence into the Preakness.

According to Tim Wilkin of the Albany Times Union, Firing Line's Beyer Speed Figure was just barely less than the one American Pharoah posted:

Jockey Gary Stevens is better than perhaps anyone else at getting the most out of his horses, and he did that at Churchill Downs. He is also a three-time Preakness Stakes winner, though, which means it would be unwise to discount Firing Line's chances.

He wasn't quite good enough to get the job done at the Kentucky Derby, but even a slight improvement could lead to a major problem for American Pharoah.

Divining Rod

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Most of the hype entering the Preakness is focused on American Pharoah, Dortmund and Firing Line, and rightfully so. It seems likely that a horse outside of the Big Three will emerge and pose a threat at some point in the Preakness, though, and Divining Rod may be the biggest possibility.

In addition to being rested due to the fact that he didn't run the Kentucky Derby, Divining Rod has some momentum on his side as he won the Lexington Stakes his last time out.

Divining Rod, who is trained by Arnaud Delacour, isn't being mentioned as a true threat to win the Preakness Stakes by most, but he is the most talented horse among those who didn't run at Churchill Downs.

Many view Divining Rod as a horse capable of turning in a surprise performance at the Preakness, including Jim Dunleavy of Daily Racing Form:

The fact that Divining Rod has been rounding into form during the lead up to the Preakness could be a sign that he is ready to break through with a great race against the big boys.

That may not be quite enough to knock off the Kentucky Derby winner, but Divining Rod is just good enough to at least put a scare into American Pharoah and his handlers.

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