Preakness 2015: Post Time, TV Schedule and Race Live Stream
The 2015 Preakness Stakes post draw took place Wednesday evening, and American Pharoah continues to be unable to catch a break.
Two weeks after drawing an unfavorable No. 18 post in the Kentucky Derby, the colt drew the dreaded No. 1 post at Pimlico. Even in a smaller field, starting against the rail is a daunting task that can lead to necessary tactical changes that disadvantage both horse and jockey.
Getting pinned against the rail and falling behind early is always a threat when starting from the inside position, and trainer Bob Baffert shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview with Dan Wolken of USA Today: "I never like the 1 hole. That's the first time I've ever drawn the rail here. I've been so lucky. You don't like to see it, but if he's the best horse we'll find out."
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The drama continues to build for the 140th Preakness Stakes, so let's take a look at all of the race's essential viewing information to ensure you don't miss a moment of the action.
2015 Preakness Stakes
Date: Saturday, May 16
Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland
TV Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET
Post Time: 6:18 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Race Outlook
American Pharoah will need to buck a trend in the Preakness if he's to come away with the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. While the No. 1 post position has produced plenty of winners in the past, it hasn't been a favorable starting location in recent years, as only one winner—Tabasco Cat in 1994—has won from the gate since 1961.
Still, Pharoah is an extremely talented horse and proved capable of starting quickly in the Kentucky Derby. If he's able to get another clean break in the Preakness, he should be able to avoid traffic in a smaller Preakness field. Once he's settled in near the front of the pack, he can rely on his great stamina and closing ability to cross the line first once again.
Perhaps Pharoah's biggest challenge will be getting past the big, powerful Dortmund early in the race. Dortmund wasn't overly fortunate during the post draw, either, coming away with the No. 2 gate. A great horse out of the gate, a good start by Dortmund will hinder Pharoah's ability to maneuver his way past early traffic.
Both colts are trained by Baffert, and he shared his thoughts on the draw during a press conference, via Preakness.com: "I can't believe I drew the 1-2 of all draws. I'm just glad I didn't draw that for the Derby. Sometimes you've got to give a little. It's a short field, eight horses. He still has to break well."
While Baffert was wary of his horses' starting locations, Firing Line's trainer, Simon Callaghan, was counting his fortunes after the Derby runner-up drew the No. 8 gate. Here's what he had to say about the draw:
"We're happy with that. We've got options from out there. It's perfect. We're happy.
I guess [the rail post position] makes it a little tougher for [American Pharoah], but we're certainly happy with our post position.
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The No. 8 gate has seen recent success, as War Emblem won from there in 2002 and Bernardini did the same in 2006. With a small field in this year's race, that post position comes with an even larger advantage, as Firing Line's jockey, Gary Stevens, will have plenty of options without another competitor to his right early in the race.
Here's what Stevens had to say during an interview with Wolken: "It's a huge advantage. Having American Pharoah on the outside of me in the Derby, (jockey) Victor (Espinoza) had options and he took advantage of them. Hopefully I'll be able to take the same kind of advantage in this race. I'm going to sleep a lot easier tonight than had I drawn on the inside."
It sure sounds as though Firing Line's camp is feeling rather confident the colt can overtake Pharoah and claim a victory in the Preakness. While Pharoah is still the odds-on favorite, according to Odds Shark, one thing is for certain: The post draw just made things much more interesting.
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