Preakness Race 2015: Weather Forecast, Horse Odds and Jockey Info
There is more to every major sporting event than just the players. Factors such as coaching, weather and home-field advantage all come into play and can swing the outcome.
Horse racing is no exception.
While the horses in the 2015 Preakness Stakes will clearly be the major story, the jockeys and weather forecast must also be taken into consideration. A skilled and experienced jockey who understands how to win on the biggest stage is a legitimate boost to a horse’s chances of victory, especially if there is traffic to maneuver through and a lack of clear lanes on the course.
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Weather could also even the playing field if it impacts the track surface on Saturday.
With that in mind, here is a look at the weather forecast, horse odds and jockey information for the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Weather Forecast
The Pimlico Race Course is located in Baltimore, and Saturday’s weather forecast for the area, per Weather.com, calls for a high of 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 69. More importantly, scattered thunderstorms are expected later in the day with a 50 percent chance of rain.
Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports believes that rainy conditions would actually favor Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah over his biggest rivals, Dortmund and Firing Line: “If a forecast for rain Saturday holds true, American Pharoah is the lone member of the Big Three who's proven he can handle an off track, having danced over the slop in winning the Rebel Stakes in March.”
Experience matters in all sports, and American Pharoah navigated lackluster conditions for a victory back in March. He won’t be spooked by the rain or subsequent soft-footing and will still turn on the speed we saw in the closing stretch of the Kentucky Derby.
Horse Odds and Jockeys
The odds to win the Preakness Stakes are courtesy of Odds Shark, as of Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
| 1 | American Pharoah | 10-13 | Bob Baffert | Victor Espinoza |
| 2 | Dortmund | 17-4 | Bob Baffert | Martin Garcia |
| 3 | Mr. Z | 33-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Corey Nakatani |
| 4 | Danzig Moon | 20-1 | 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 |
Jockeys to Watch
*Jockey information is courtesy of Preakness.com.
Victor Espinoza, American Pharoah
The spotlight is firmly planted on American Pharoah at the Preakness, which is nothing new for jockey Victor Espinoza.
Espinoza parlayed Kentucky Derby victories with War Emblem in 2002 and California Chrome in 2014 into Preakness wins. Thus far in his career, Espinoza won the Preakness after each of his Kentucky Derby victories, and Saturday represents his third opportunity to do just that.
Espinoza finished in second place at the Preakness with A P Valentine in 2001 and understands what it takes to win on this track with the best horses.
He led American Pharoah to a victory on the outside at Churchill Downs with impressive jockeying skills. He will have to do the opposite at the Preakness from the No. 1 post, but winning at Pimlico with a Derby champion is nothing new for Espinoza.
Gary Stevens, Firing Line
Espinoza may have experience winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown, but Firing Line’s jockey, Gary Stevens, will ride in his 18th Preakness on Saturday. He certainly understands what it takes to win in Baltimore too, and riding Oxbow back in 2013, he became the oldest jockey to win the Preakness.
Stevens also won at Pimlico in 1997 (Silver Charm), 1998 (Victory Gallop), 2001 (Point Given) and 2004 (Rock Hard Ten) and is a seasoned veteran on this track.
Entertainment fans will likely recognize Stevens as the actor who portrayed jockey George Woolf in the movie Seabiscuit and one of the stars of the HBO series Luck.
Don’t be fooled by the Hollywood resume, though. Stevens is a legitimate threat to Espinoza’s Triple Crown dreams, and he drew the outside post for Saturday’s race. While that means Firing Line must cover a bit more ground, it also opens up the possibility of attacking the finish line with more space on the outside while American Pharoah battles through rail traffic.
Stevens suggested as much, per Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated:
American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby from the outside. Don’t be surprised if Firing Line does the same on Saturday.
Trevor McCarthy, Bodhisattva
No jockey will enjoy home-track advantage as much as Trevor McCarthy on Saturday.
McCarthy will ride underdog Bodhisattva, but it is his familiarity with the Pimlico Race Course that should have the favorites worried. McCarthy won 167 times at Laurel Park and Pimlico in 2014 and even made his professional debut at Pimlico in 2011.
Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association executive director David Richardson discussed what a win for McCarthy would mean, per Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun:
"I think we're long overdue. I think it's a great opportunity for the guys. Trevor is an excellent jockey. Trevor's been great here in Maryland, and it would do us all proud to see Jose and Trevor bring home the Preakness. I know all of Maryland is pulling for them.
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McCarthy is familiar with winning in Baltimore. Saturday would represent the biggest win of his promising career.
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