Preakness Post Draw 2015: Entries List, Betting Odds and Picks
There may be Triple Crown hopes on the horizon, but the 2015 Preakness Stakes promises to offer theatrics and dramatics no matter who gallops into victory lane.
After his resounding Kentucky Derby win two weeks ago, American Pharoah is being hyped as one of the biggest threats to winning horse racing's most elusive prize since Affirmed did it last in 1978. But as the action at Churchill Downs showcased, he figures to have his hands full in the final two legs of the Triple Crown—beginning Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Talk of American Pharoah potentially completing the trifecta has already been loud, but it will reach ear-piercing levels should he take the cake in Baltimore. Without further ado, let's look at the field and latest betting odds.
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2015 Preakness Stakes Post Draw and Odds
| 1 | American Pharoah | 10-13 | Bob Baffert | Victor Espinoza |
| 2 | Dortmund | 15-4 | Bob Baffert | Martin Garcia |
| 3 | Mr. Z | 25-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Corey Nakatani |
| 4 | Danzig Moon | 14-1 | Mark Casse | Julien Leparoux |
| 5 | Tale of Verve | 50-1 | Dallas Stewart | Joel Rosario |
| 6 | Bodhisattva | 50-1 | Jose Corrales | Trevor McCarthy |
| 7 | Divining Rod | 20-1 | Arnaud Delacour | Javier Castellano |
| 8 | Firing Line | 17-4 | Simon Callaghan | Gary Stevens |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated May 14
Preakness Picks
1. American Pharoah
It's American Pharoah, then everyone else.
There may be three horses that stand a couple of heads above the rest this summer in Grade 1 horse racing. But if Churchill Downs bore any implications, it's that American Pharoah belongs in a class of his own.
Dortmund ran the exact race he needed in order to take his seventh victory in as many career races but simply didn't have the firepower to hold off American Pharoah and Firing Line.
Perhaps starting from the No. 1 post will pose a problem, but track announcer Travis Stone sees it just as likely that American Pharoah will scoff at the challenge:
If American Pharoah was going to be overtaken by these two capable horses, it would have happened down the stretch at Churchill Downs—when he trailed the leaders. But instead, he just showed his top speed is too quick to keep up with.
Even if adversity strikes early on the rail, American Pharoah will remain hot on Dortmund's tail and in position for a late surge to victory.
2. Dortmund
Not only did Dortmund's perfect career record evaporate at Churchill Downs, but his notable success over Firing Line did as well. At Pimlico, he'll have a chance to remedy both of those shortcomings.
A physical specimen with arguably the largest frame in the field, Dortmund should have little trouble doing just as he did at Churchill Downs and setting the early pace. From that point comes the tough task of keeping American Pharoah boxed in on the rail.
At the very least, trainer Bob Baffert—who oversees both American Pharoah and Dortmund—made sure he pushed for both of his top horses to enter the Preakness. It's only right for the intrigue of the race, as Baffert told Ray Paulick:
Jockey Martin Garcia won't overwork his horse this time to the point where he fades down the stretch, and a shorter race track should help him in that regard. Assuming Dortmund can avoid running out of gas, he will have enough speed down the stretch to not only hold off Firing Line, but to threaten the leader.
3. Firing Line
In the coveted outside gate, Firing Line is coming for more revenge.
He secured a big helping of it at the Derby, where he overtook Dortmund for the first time—this coming after two consecutive second-place finishes to him. Firing Line proved unable to stay with American Pharoah down the stretch, but he will have a chance to right those wrongs Saturday.
Just like his two biggest opponents on the track, Firing Line will have to deal with tired legs after running in the Derby two weeks ago. But ESPN's Jeannine Edwards provided a promising glimpse of Firing Line at Pimlico:
Starting out from the No. 8 post should allow Firing Line to run comfortably early on and will produce plenty of options on how to set up for the right finish. But all jockey Gary Stevens can hope for is to be neck-and-neck with the leaders down the final furlongs.
This time around, Dortmund will get the better of him.
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