2015 Preakness Horses: Ranking Every Contender at Pimlico

There will be seven challengers waiting for Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah when the field assembles on Saturday in the starting gate for the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

While the race only drew eight horses, the top three from the Run for the Roses will face off again, along with three new shooters.

American Pharoah lived up to his billing in the Kentucky Derby, prevailing by a length over Firing Line as the betting favorite, with another two lengths back to third-place finisher Dortmund.

Trainer Bob Baffert has brought three Derby winners to Baltimore, and all three won the Preakness. Having a backup as talented as Dortmund gives him a strong one-two punch in the race.

However, American Pharoah will garner much of the attention this week in the media as he seeks to keep his Triple Crown bid alive and at the betting windows. He will be a strong favorite to win, and he currently at odds of 10-13 at Odds Shark.

In this piece, I rank all eight contenders based on past performances, trainer and jockey history and past history of the Preakness.

8. Tale of Verve

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Trainer Dallas Stewart knows how to get a long shot to run well in a Triple Crown race.

Odds: 50-1

Notable wins: None

Analysis: The colt is trained by Dallas Stewart, who landed a couple of bombs to run second in the Kentucky Derby in 2012 and 2013, but I doubt that happens here. The colt took six tries just to bring home his maiden victory and he will face winners for the first time on Saturday.

A recent maiden winner taking the second jewel of the Triple Crown would be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Preakness Stakes. This colt is in way over his head.

7. Mr. Z

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has saddled six Preakness winners.

Odds: 25-1

Notable wins: None

Analysis: After a troubled 13th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, the colt was not headed to the Preakness according to owner Ahmed Zayat—who also owns Derby winner American Pharoah. So trainer D. Wayne Lukas brokered a deal in which Calumet Farm purchased the colt, and he was a last-minute entry into the race.

Calumet Farm owned Oxbow, the winner of the 2013 Preakness. That colt paid $32.60, the biggest price we have seen in the past three decades.

Mr. Z has landed in the money in eight stakes races in his 13 career starts, but he hasn't won any of them. Lukas, a Hall of Fame trainer, has won the second jewel of the Triple Crown six times, but it is doubtful he will make it seven this year.

6. Bodhisattva

Odds: 50-1

Notable wins: Federico Tesio Stakes

Analysis: With no graded stakes experience, this colt looks as if he may be in over his head. However, he does have the advantage of a victory over the Pimlico main track. He won the Federico Tesio, the local prep for the Preakness. 

Back in 2002, local hero Magic Weisner nearly pulled off a huge upset, running second to War Emblem at big odds. Could this colt do the same?

A small piece is about all that could be expected out of Bodhisattva. He has just not run fast enough to compete with the big three.

5. Divining Rod

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Odds: 20-1

Notable wins: Lexington Stakes (G3)

Analysis: With a second-place finish in the Sam F. Davis and a third in the Tampa Bay Derby, Divining Rod did not earn enough points to make his way into the Kentucky Derby field. 

The colt headed to Keeneland for the Coolmore Lexington and he earned his first stakes win in an impressive effort, drawing away to win by three lengths. He picks up a new rider in Javier Castellano, the two-time reigning Eclipse Award winner for top jockey.

Another move forward can put Divining Rod in the mix, and he is well rested while his main rivals are coming back on two weeks' rest. He may end up the value of the race if he goes off near his current odds at Odds Shark of 20-1.

4. Danzig Moon

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Odds: 14-1

Notable wins: None

Analysis: This colt was a troubled fifth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten 6½ lengths for the top spot. He steadied after exchanging a few bumps heading into the first turn and made a good move around the far turn, but he didn't have enough punch left for the home stretch. 

A cleaner trip is likely in the offing with the smaller field, but he still is going to need to run a career best to pull off the upset on Saturday.

3. Firing Line

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Odds: 17-4

Notable wins: Sunland Derby

Analysis: He is battle-tested and has never ran out of the exacta in six career starts. However, he has been the bridesmaid four times, including the Run for the Roses. He also lost two photos to Dortmund earlier in his career.

The shorter distance of the Preakness may benefit Firing Line, but for him to win, he will need to beat two top horses from the Bob Baffert barn.

In addition, Derby runner-up finishers have a very poor record in the Preakness. Since 1961, only two Derby runners-up came back to win the Preakness—Summer Squall in 1990 and Prairie Bayou in 1993. Fifteen of the 54 Derby second-place finishers during that time span did not even race in the Preakness.

History may be against Firing Line, but there is no doubt he is as game as they come and will battle inside the final furlong, much like he did on the first Saturday of May.

2. Dortmund

Uncredited/Associated Press

Odds: 15-4

Notable wins: Los Alamitos Futurity, Robert B. Lewis, San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby

Analysis: At the Kentucky Derby, Dortmund suffered his first defeat after starting his career with six consecutive wins. The Baffert trainee battled through moderate early fractions, and he looked as if he would be tough to handle in the stretch.

However, he weakened in the final furlong and checked in three lengths back of his stablemate, American Pharoah, and two lengths behind Firing Line.

Baffert knows how to win this race, doing it five times, and this colt may be able to turn the tables on Firing Line. After all, he did out-game him in both the Los Alamitos Futurity and Robert B. Lewis.

Dortmund is likely to overtake Firing Line, but he may still come up short to his stablemate once again.

1. American Pharoah

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Odds: 10-13

Notable wins: Del Mar Futurity, Frontrunner, Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby

Analysis: The Triple Crown buzz started soon after American Pharoah's eight-length victory in the Arkansas Derby in April, and he got the first part done with a game win in the Derby.

The colt did have to work harder than he ever had to in his career, as jockey Victory Espinoza gave him 32 reminders with the whip before they crossed the finish line a length in front.

Baffert has brought three Kentucky Derby winners to Baltimore (Silver Charm, Real Quiet and War Emblem) and left each time heading to New York with a shot at the Triple Crown.

It looks likely he will make it four on Saturday.

Preakness Odds are current as of May 14, via Odds Shark.

Follow Michael Dempsey on Twitter @turfnsport.