2015 Preakness: Early Weather Forecast and Field Odds for Pimlico

Will American Pharoah's Triple Crown bid be derailed by weather?

According to Weather.com, the 2015 Preakness Stakes may be contested in wet conditions, as there is a 50 percent expectation of scattered afternoon thunderstorms in Baltimore, Maryland, on race day. The race's post time is scheduled for 6:18 p.m. ET, according to Preakness.com, so this is certainly something for bettors and horse-racing enthusiasts to keep a keen eye on.

Why would the rain affect the Kentucky Derby winner's chances of claiming the second leg of the Triple Crown? Simply because it brings more variables to the race—it could affect the colt's ability to accelerate or keep up his signature smooth gallop.

Luckily, we've already seen Pharoah in action during wet conditions, and that resulted in a six-and-one-quarter length victory over the field in the 2015 Rebel Stakes—a race only slightly shorter than the Preakness. Here's a look back at the race:

Pharoah was able to break cleanly in the Rebel Stakes, jumping out to the front of the pack quickly and earning a wire-to-wire victory. However, keep in mind while he excelled in those wet conditions, it was against a weaker field of just seven horses.

Despite the looming possibility of a wet Preakness this year, Vegas oddsmakers still heavily favor the three-year-old colt. Take a look at the latest lines, courtesy of Odds Shark:

Horse	Odds
American Pharoah	5-6
Firing Line	5-1
Dortmund	11-2
Carpe Diem	14-1
Competitive Edge	16-1
Materiality	16-1
Danzig Moon	22-1
Divining Rod	22-1
Bodhisattva	40-1
Stanford	40-1
Grand Bili	50-1
Tale of Verve	50-1

While Pharoah continues to lead the contenders as the odds-on favorite, Kentucky Derby second- and third-place finishers Firing Line and Dortmund are back in action at Pimlico as well.

According to a press conference with trainer Bob Baffert, via Preakness.com, both Pharoah and Dortmund have looked good in early workouts:

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

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I was happy with both of them. It looks like they have kept the same energy level (as before the Kentucky Derby). American Pharoah floated over the ground and picked up his gallop the last half-mile. He wanted to do more. Dortmund got aggressive with (exercise rider) Dana (Barnes) and galloped well.

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Carlos Santamaria is overseeing Firing Line's Preakness preparations and was pleased with his colt's recent work as well:

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He has been galloping good and eating well and very happy with the last two days. I know he has a lot of heart and will give his best to the end (like he did in the Derby).

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Those three horses enter the Preakness as the top favorites, and that isn't likely to change before post time—barring some sort of major setback. Will the weather provide an alternate ending for this trio of competitors in Baltimore, or will Pharoah continue to shine and head to the Belmont Stakes with the Triple Crown on his mind?

The Preakness is always one of the year's most entertaining races, but with a legitimate Triple Crown contender heading a very strong field and uncertain weather on the horizon, the added drama could produce one of this storied event's most memorable contests.