Preakness 2015 Horses: Race-Day Overview for Favorites and Entire Field

The big day has finally arrived at Pimlico Race Course. The eight horses will soon be off and running in the 2015 Preakness Stakes.

With a field less than half the size of the one that contested the Kentucky Derby, much more attention can be given to each contender in the mix. But that's not how things are shaking out entering the 140th Preakness Stakes, as three favorites have stuck their necks out.

Here's a last-minute look at the lineup and odds for the race.

2015 Preakness Stakes Field and Odds

Post Position	Horse	Odds	Trainer	Jockey
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

Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated May 15

The Favorites

American Pharoah

Rob Carr/Getty Images

American Pharoah has a strong track record against the top opponents—that much was proved at Churchill Downs on May 2. He's been unbeatable as of late, winning each of his last five races, dating back to September 2014. But American Pharoah's chances of maintaining his Triple Crown hopes will start on the rail.

The Kentucky Derby winner drew the dreaded No. 1 post for Saturday's race, which is far from an ideal spot if history is any indication. Mark Singelais of Albany Times Union noted how rarely there has been a winner from the first gate in the Preakness Stakes:

Apprehension usually follows the No. 1 post, but don't expect those feelings to rise to the surface from American Pharoah's camp. He's won from the rail before, taking victory at the Del Mar Futurity back in 2014—which began a spurt of five straight wins.

American Pharoah could face some early adversity on the rail, but it doesn't seem likely to doom his chances. As long as he's around during the final stretch, he should be expected to gallop to victory.

Dortmund

Entering the Preakness, Dortmund has been beaten just once in seven career races. But the only two horses to ever finish a race ahead of him will be alongside him at Pimlico.

Both he and American Pharoah are trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, and Dortmund was the one who descended upon Churchill Downs with an unbeaten record. He had no excuses after setting the pace and coming down the stretch with the lead before American Pharoah and Firing Line overtook him.

Could revenge be in order Saturday? If so, the ball is in Dortmund's court. Starting in the No. 2 gate isn't exactly ideal, but it looks much better when you consider American Pharoah will start between him and the rail.

Dortmund's size typically allows for him to start strong out of the gates. Another fast start will give American Pharoah some early trouble.

Firing Line

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Baffert's aforementioned duo dominated talk heading into the Triple Crown season, but Firing Line proved himself worthy of his second-place finish between the two at the Derby. Saturday's race will decide just how warranted the hype truly is.

After two straight races in which he finished second fiddle to Dortmund, Firing Line overtook his rival on the biggest stage in the sport. It wasn't enough to get into the winner's circle, though, as American Pharoah edged him by a single length.

While he emerged from the middle of an 18-horse field to finish in second at the Derby, Firing Line will have more flexibility on Saturday, starting on the outside in the No. 8 post. He's getting plenty of love as a potential threat to dethrone American Pharoah, as Bleacher Report Sirius XM noted:

Should American Pharoah and Dortmund slow each other down on the inside early on, it could open up Firing Line for the early lead. Whether he's able to hold onto it will depend on how much is left in the tank during the final furlong.