Preakness 2015 Horses: Triple Crown Insight and Final Pre-Race Odds

The 2015 Preakness Stakes is the second Triple Crown test for American Pharoah. The race favorite surged down the stretch of the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. He pulled away from Dortmund and edged Firing Line over the final strides to move within two wins of history.

Both of those fellow top finishers from Churchill Downs return for a rematch at Pimlico on Saturday. They are joined by five other horses—a combination of returnees and new shooters—that could extend the 37-year Triple Crown drought with an upset.

Let's check out all of the key details for race day, including how to watch and a look at the complete field. That's followed by a closer look at American Pharoah's chances of making history.

Viewing Information

Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore

When: Saturday, May 16, at 6:18 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

2015 Preakness Field

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	American Pharoah	Bob Baffert	Victor Espinoza	10-13
2	Dortmund	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	9-2
3	Mr. Z	D. Wayne Lukas	Corey Nakatani	25-1
4	Danzig Moon	Mark Casse	Julien Leparoux	20-1
5	Tale of Verve	Dallas Stewart	Joel Rosario	50-1
6	Bodhisattva	Jose Corrales	Trevor McCarthy	33-1
7	Divining Rod	Arnaud Delacour	Javier Castellano	22-1
8	Firing Line	Simon Callaghan	Gary Stevens	17-4

Triple Crown Outlook

American Pharoah is a special horse. He finished fifth in his first career race, but since that point, he's won four Grade I stakes and one Grade II stakes. Most of those victories were in dominant fashion over a talented field of competitors.

There were questions about how he would respond if seriously challenged. However, that happened in the Kentucky Derby and he still won, seemingly without having to empty the tank. It was the latest sign he's got a serious chance of ending the drought.

He's got a lot of work left to do, though. California Chrome went on a similar hot streak last year before winning the Derby and Preakness. He couldn't finish the job at the Belmont.

The Triple Crown test is about more than pure talent. The compact schedule makes the physical aspect of the challenge just as important.

It's unclear how American Pharoah will respond on short rest. That said, Richard Rosenblatt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel passed along comments from owner Ahmed Zayat about his horse's outlook.

"I don't believe the Derby showed the sheer brilliance of American Pharoah," Zayat said. "I hoping you will see the real AP again on Saturday. He is giving me all signs that he is ready again."

If he's fresh, then the focus shifts to other potential pitfalls, the biggest one being breaking from the extreme inside gate. It puts added pressure on jockey Victor Espinoza to get a clean break and away from any danger at the outset.

Randy Moss of NBC Sports doesn't think it will make a major impact:

Also, it's worth nothing that Preakness favorites have struggled lately. John Buccigross of ESPN passed along the numbers:

"

American Pharoah is currently 3-5, but odds-on favorites haven’t fared well in the Preakness, winning just 3 of the last 9 instances.

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) May 16, 2015"

So American Pharoah is the rightful favorite in the second leg, but he's not a lock. He'll need to overcome several hurdles to keep the dream alive.

Assuming he does, then next will come the toughest test of them all: the Belmont Stakes.

Given the numerous close calls over the years, the difficulties associated with the third race of the Triple Crown are well-known by now. The added distance, combined with racing for a third time in five weeks and what's usually a loaded field, has generally proved too much.

His chances there would depend a lot on how he comes out of this race. Does he show another level, as his owner suggested, or does it take everything he has left just to win the second leg? The answer could very well decide whether he has a realistic shot at history.

The bottom line is that American Pharoah features the skill set necessary to replace Affirmed as the most recent Triple Crown winner. All horse racing fans can do is sit back and see if the stars align perfectly for him over the next three weeks.