American Pharoah and Victor Espinoza: Pedigree and Odds for 2015 Belmont Stakes

American Pharoah may be two-thirds of the way to his potential Triple Crown, but his hardest test lies ahead at the 2015 Belmont Stakes.

The three-year-old colt put together arguably his greatest-ever performance at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday—exceeding his dominant wins Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby. He won by eight lengths, which would've been more if he fully exerted himself for the full 1 3/16 miles of the race. You can catch a replay of the race below if you missed it live or want to watch it again.

American Pharoah's final time wasn't exactly impressive. According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was the slowest for a Preakness winner since 1950:

But you have to put that time into perspective. The Pimlico Race Course track was essentially a mud pit after Mother Nature had her way. Unlike other favorites Dortmund and Firing Line, American Pharoah looked largely unfazed by the elements. He would've won that race on the moon.

"I've never won this race as easily and handily," said trainer Bob Baffert, per Dan Wolken of USA Today. "This is the only horse I've never had to talk people into how good he is. He's doing all the talking."

Now, the attention shifts to Belmont Park, where the target on American Pharoah's back will be bigger than ever.

"I know everybody right now is sharpening their knives, getting ready," said Baffert, per Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun.

According to Odds Shark, American Pharoah sports early 5-7 odds to win the Belmont Stakes. If anything, it's a bit surprising that his odds are so favorable considering 13 horses since 1978 have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown before ultimately losing out at Belmont Park.

ESPN's Mike Greenberg is adamant American Pharoah is cut from a different cloth:

Part of what has made the colt's success so impressive is that he comes from a relatively unassuming pedigree, per Horse Racing Nation. His sire, Pioneerof The Nile, boasted a second-place finish at the 2009 Kentucky Derby but only placed 11th at the Preakness Stakes. Meanwhile, his dam, Littleprincessemma, did nothing of note in major races.

A solid pedigree isn't a guarantee for success, just as a somewhat unspectacular pedigree doesn't mean a horse will accomplish little in his competitive career.

History leads you to believe that banking on an American Pharoah Triple Crown is a fool's errand. Almost every year, fans get excited about the Kentucky Derby winner, an excitement that reaches a fever pitch if that horse wins the Preakness Stakes.

Then, those fans start convincing themselves that that horse is remarkable beyond measure and will triumph where so many have floundered.

All of that is happening right now with American Pharoah.

Especially with the full field competing in the Belmont Stakes unknown, it seems premature to consider American Pharoah likely to capture the Triple Crown. He will be competing in his third major race in less than a month, which is extremely taxing.

Making matters worse, some of his competitors at Belmont Park will be very rested, a point California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn vehemently argued against last year as his horse attempted to win the Triple Crown.

Then again, the chances are that some horse will eventually win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in order. It's been nearly four decades, so that time will have to arrive sooner or later.