Preakness Odds 2015: Final Predictions on Latest Vegas Betting Lines

American Pharoah is the clear favorite entering the Preakness Stakes after his Kentucky Derby victory, but there is value to be had throughout the field, and there are a few horses with the potential to put a stop to American Pharoah's Triple Crown journey.

Both Firing Line and Dortmund nearly ended it before it started in the Kentucky Derby, and they will both take another crack at it in the Preakness. They are joined by fellow Derby starter Danzig Moon, the talented Divining Rod and a few wild cards who could figure into the result as well.

As the 140th running of the Preakness comes into focus, here is a look at the latest odds for all eight horses, as well as predictions for how the top three finishers will shake out.

Preakness Field and Odds

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	American Pharoah	Victor Espinoza	Bob Baffert	10-13
2	Dortmund	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	17-4
3	Mr. Z	Corey Nakatani	D. Wayne Lukas	33-1
4	Danzig Moon	Julien Leparoux	Mark Casse	20-1
5	Tale of Verve	Joel Rosario	Dallas Stewart	50-1
6	Bodhisattva	Trevor McCarthy	Jose Corrales	50-1
7	Divining Rod	Javier Castellano	Arnaud Delacour	20-1
8	Firing Line	Gary Stevens	Simon Callaghan	17-4

Predicted Preakness Trifecta

Win: American Pharoah

Great horses tend to find a way to win even when they don't run their best race, and that is precisely what American Pharoah did in the Kentucky Derby. The past was slow and there wasn't much separation between him, Firing Line and Dortmund, but he still pulled it out.

Some might view his showing at Churchill Downs as an indication that he isn't as good as many initially thought, but it can also be argued that he has plenty more to offer than what he showed two weeks ago.

Trainer Bob Baffert subscribes to the latter theory, according to Tom Pedulla of America's Best Racing:

"When (jockey Victor Espinoza) pushed the button, he was stuck a little bit," Baffert said. "He wasn't really responding. Whether it was the track or whatever, I don't know. I think he'll run better. Now, he's ready."

Zayat Stables racing manager Justin Zayat is in agreement with Baffert in terms of American Pharoah's form entering the race:

The one concern regarding the talented colt is the fact that he will have to start on the rail. That isn't ideal since he could get boxed in, but Espinoza is a good enough jockey to devise a plan and carry it out.

As long as American Pharoah isn't burned by a nightmarish trip, look for him to get to the front early, hold the lead and come one step closer to the elusive Triple Crown.

Place: Divining Rod

Perhaps no horse in the field is in better position to challenge American Pharoah than Divining Rod. There is some mystery regarding his ability to hang with the very best horses since he didn't run in the Kentucky Derby, but that means he will also be fresher than much of the field.

Divining Rod is coming off an impressive victory in the Lexington Stakes, and he has never finished worse than third in five career races. According to WBALTV.com, trainer Arnaud Delacour likes what his horse has to offer and believes jockey Javier Castellano is a good fit as well:

"

I think the horse has started to understand it a little bit. This is the time of the year that a three-year-old should start showing that experience. What I hope is going to make the difference now is that the horse can still break well and get a position—that he doesn't have to make the lead and can sit off the pace a little bit if he needs to. That will be up to the jock and why we have that kind of rider.

"

Delacour's point of stalking the leaders is an important one since track position dictates that American Pharoah and Dortmund will have to go to the front immediately as inside horses. That means they will set the pace, but they will also be vulnerable to closers.

Divining Rod is in a great spot to give a late run from the No. 7 post, but he won't have quite enough in the tank to overtake American Pharoah.

Show: Dortmund

Garry Jones/Associated Press

While Dortmund isn't receiving as much hype now as he did entering the Kentucky Derby, there is no question that Baffert's "other" horse is good enough to win the Preakness if things break his way.

He was undefeated prior to his third-place finish at Churchill Downs, so the massive colt is far from a pushover. Although he fought hard in an attempt to hold off American Pharoah and Firing Line in the Derby, Baffert really likes his chances at Pimlico Race Course, according to Jonathan Lintner of The Courier-Journal:

Dortmund was a pace-setter in the Kentucky Derby, but he faded late. He is likely to play that same role from the No. 2 post in the Preakness, but since the race is slightly shorter, he may have more left in the tank down the stretch.

All signs point toward he and American Pharoah duking it out near the front for much of the race. The primary issue for them is that they'll have to stave off the likes of Divining Rod and Firing Line.

Unfortunately for Dortmund, a fate similar to the Kentucky Derby is quite possible in the Preakness. Look for him to finish third for the second consecutive race, with American Pharoah and Divining Rod getting the better of him.

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