BALTIMORE (AP) – American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby, yet didn’t look unbeatable, as he had in his previous races. His trainer says he struggled. His jockey went to the whip about 30 times to urge him on in the stretch. His owner says the Derby wasn’t even close to his best effort.
And now it’s time for the Preakness, where a victory Saturday would set up American Pharoah for a Triple Crown chance at the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. It also would give trainer Bob Baffert an unprecedented fourth Triple try.
Is American Pharoah up to the task?
“That horse didn’t really get his A game together in the Kentucky Derby, and he still won,” marveled Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who trains long shot Mr. Z, on Friday morning outside the stakes barn at Pimlico Race Course. “That’s a scary thought.”
American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat is the 4-5 morning-line favorite in an eight-horse field, and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza. Stablemate Dortmund, third in the Derby, is the second choice at 7-2, and Derby runner-up Firing Line is 4-1.