American Pharoah's Biggest Hurdles to Overcome in 2015 Preakness Stakes

By most accounts, Bob Baffert's American Pharoah won't encounter many issues at the 2015 Preakness Stakes. 

It's hard to argue the point. The spectacle at Pimlico is a shorter distance, and the field is usually weaker, with owners deciding to save contenders for more favorable odds at the Belmont Stakes, avoiding what could be a devastatingly quick turnaround.

It helps American Pharoah came out of a miserable post position, displayed patience and came from behind for a win against one of the deepest Kentucky Derby fields in recent memory.

It all adds up to a heavy favorite, one most pegged before the convincing victory at Churchill Downs. But there are many factors making the Preakness more difficult than most would expect, so let's take a look at those. 

American Pharoah's Biggest Hurdles at Pimlico

Well-Rested Opposition 

Garry Jones/Associated Press

While many Kentucky Derby contenders will choose to play it safe and skip Pimlico, there are wild cards in the form of those who skipped the Derby but will suit up for the Triple Crown's middle leg. 

Look at Bodhisattva, an explosive colt who already has a win at Pimlico thanks to a victory in April's Federico Tesio Stakes. Or how about Competitive Edge, an intriguing option who blew away the field at the Pat Day Mile Stakes the same day American Pharoah won the Derby, shattering a course record set in 1969 in the process.

There's also intriguing, high-upside names to watch such as Stanford and Divining Rod, two colts without eye-popping resumes but enough in the promise department for their owners to think they have a chance at the shorter event.

Granted, the Preakness list still features a pending status among some of the above names, but it's clear a colt on fresh legs can play the spoiler if American Pharoah isn't on top of his game.

Kentucky Derby Top Performers

Uncredited/Associated Press

It's impossible to ignore the threats posed by Firing Line and Dortmund.

The globe seems awake when it comes to Simon Callaghan's Firing Line now after he held the lead at Churchill Downs until a late shuffle down the stretch. Those who dug deep knew it was coming, though, as Firing Line gave Dortmund all he could handle in his two prior races.

Fifty-two-year-old jockey Gary Stevens is a legend, too, meaning he knows how to navigate the shorter field and squeeze the most out of his horse.

Dortmund is most interesting, though, as Baffert's second horse has what it takes to spoil the Triple Crown ambitions of his top horse.

Led by jockey Martin Garcia, Dortmund almost pulled off a feat at Churchill Downs that history says is near-impossible, running wire to wire and just running out of gas down the stretch. Since the track at Pimlico is shorter, the same approach may push American Pharoah to his limits, to results folks won't want to miss.

The Weight of Expectations

More than anything, the weight of expectations can throw a proverbial wrench in things.

There's a certain palpable expectation following any Derby winner these days but especially after California Chrome came so close to ending the drought last year. Now there are 37 years of expectations resting on Baffert and those around him.

Of course, Baffert's trained five horses who have won the event. All three of his Derby winners have gone on to win it, although he admits there's a certain luck element about it.

Garry Jones/Associated Press

"I've had a lot of success in the Preakness, because I've won it with really good horses," said Baffert, per AL.com's Mark Inabinett. "I've always gone in there and won with the best horse. But you still have to get the trip, the post, everything. You still have to be lucky."

At the same time, Baffert's happy his top horse proved he can win in different ways, as he told Tom Pedulla of America's Best Racing (via FoxSports.com): "What we saw yesterday was that he is not one-dimensional, which is so nice to have. He's quick. He's handy. You can move on him at any time."

Conventional wisdom says Baffert shouldn't have any problems prepping American Pharoah. Jockey Victor Espinoza knows what it takes, too, after riding California Chrome last year.

Expectations are still a factor to watch as race day approaches, though, especially when it's amplified by the prior two points. If it all comes together, American Pharoah will head to New York in convincing fashion.

Stats and information via Preakness.com unless otherwise specified.