Preakness 2015: Latest Twitter Buzz Surrounding Favorites

If American Pharoah is going to win the Triple Crown, he's going to have to earn it. Thanks to an unlucky post position, the social media buzz surrounding Preakness 2015 is focused on just how much the Kentucky Derby winner can handle Saturday evening at Pimlico.

American Pharoah, a 10-13 favorite as of Friday afternoon via OddsShark, enters the Preakness Stakes in the best position possible: an opportunity to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

American Pharoah also enters the Preakness in the worst position possible: the dreaded rail.

Next to him in the starting gates will be stablemate Dortmund, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby. Firing Line, the Derby runner-up, has drawn the eighth position, all the way on the outside of the field.

Bob Baffert, who trains both American Pharoah and Dortmund, is less than keen with the post position draw.

Is this all setting up for disappointment, another year passing by without a Triple Crown winner? History isn't in American Pharoah's favor, according to Albany Times Union writer Tim Wilkin.

NBC Sports' Randy Moss is tweeting a different tune, however, throwing his support behind American Pharoah.

Perhaps this is nothing more than a trial by fire for the horse. Breaking a 37-year Triple Crown drought is the sort of legacy you want to see a horse earn the hard way. Justin Zayat, the son of American Pharoah's owner Ahmed Zayat, thinks their horse is up for the challenge.

The Firing Line camp, meanwhile, is rather pleased with their lot on the other side of the draw.

If nothing else, the stage is set for supreme drama Saturday. A late surge was the difference between American Pharoah and Firing Line at the Kentucky Derby. The difference in post position could easily cancel out any talent advantage between the two horses.

As exciting as the Preakness figures to be, the din is minimal compared to what it will be should American Pharoah indeed come away the victor.

Simply: Can he win the Triple Crown?

It's difficult enough to beat the best horses on the planet two races in a row. To then do it a third time at the grueling mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes has proved impossible over nearly four decades.

Since Affirmed, 13 horses have entered the Belmont Stakes having won the first two legs of the Triple Crown. All 13 left New York defeated.

Providence Journal sports columnist Jim Donaldson seems to think we have yet to meet the 12th Triple Crown winner.

Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden has an altogether more critical take on the possibility.

As seductive as the Triple Crown is, finding new ways to engage casual fans would be a massive boost to the sport. Like golf beyond the four majors, it can be too easy to forget the other events.

For now, though, there's the Preakness at 6:10 p.m. ET Saturday.

American Pharoah starts from the inside. Firing Line starts from the outside.

Who will get to the finish line first?