Preakness 2015: An Early Look

Horse

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1

American Pharoah  7-5

With the competition, distance, and rating ability questions now put behind him, the 2014 Juvenile Champion can head to Baltimore as the undisputed leader of the division. Like the final time or not, there can be little doubt that the wide-trip winner was the best horse, while winning the 141st Kentucky Derby. The Zayat owned, and Bob Baffert trained colt proved a little hard to handle for his rider, Victor Espinoza, coming out of the far turn, but he still looked like a winner the entire stretch. He is certainly a deserving favorite to win the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Preakness Status: Probable

2

Firing Line  4 -1

Somewhat forgotten by some as the horse who was defeated by Dortmund in two memorable battles in California, the Simon Callaghan trainee proved just how classy he is with an excellent runner-up to the top one in the Derby. He's never run anything but a good race, and has excellent tactical speed to always find a good spot. If Pharoah is not at his best in 13 days, he becomes a horse they will all have to beat.

Preakness Status: Probable

3

Dortmund  4-1

Large and in charge in each of his first six starts, the unbeaten streak of Dortmund came to an end with a third place finish in the Run for the Roses. It's no easy to task to wire the Kentucky Derby, and pressured by his familiar rival, Firing Line, throughout, the big son of Big Brown ran gamely down the stretch to hold third. Turning the tables in the Preakness should not be considered out of the question.

Preakness Status: Probable 

4

Competitive Edge 6-1

The chances of him entering the Preakness are likely no better than 50-50 at this point, but if he does go, he must be considered a contender for trainer Todd Pletcher. The son of Super Saver has been nothing short of dominant in his four career starts to date, including the Grade 1 Hopeful and Saturday's Pat Day Mile. He would add to the early pace at Pimlico.

Preakness Status: Possible

5

Danzig Moon  15-1

Considering he was bounced around in a bit of a traffic in the run up to the first turn in the Derby, the future Queen's Plate favorite ran a very good race to finish 5th of 18. He still may be on the improve, so a clean trip in the Preakness could make the son of Malibu Moon a legitimate upset contender. 

Preakness Status: Possible

6

 Divining Rod  15-1

Well bred and good looking son of Tapit turned things up a notch with an impressive victory in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. He will need to improve even more to seriously threaten in Baltimore, but the Lael Stables could do just that in what will be his sixth career start.

Preakness Status: Probable

7

Stanford 20-1

After suffering a drubbing at the hands of Materiality in Florida, he came back with a much improved effort in the Louisiana Derby, running gamely down the stretch to be a clear second, while not making it to easy for the winner, International Star. He did not impress in the mornings at Churchill, though, and seems like a Pletcher second-stringer.

Preakness Status: Probable

8

Mr. Z  30-1

One of the longer shots in the Kentucky Derby, the well-traveled son of Malibu Moon had a very bad trip, and had little chance to recover and get in the race. On the one hand, he has the same ownership as the top one, making you wonder if they will let him sit this one out, but as much as he has tried already this year, why should we think that the Preakness will be any different? 

Preakness Status: Possible

9

Bodhisattva 40-1

He may come into racing's Middle Jewel as the rank outsider for owner/trainer Jose Corrales, but the experienced California-bred son of Student Council does boast a career best victory in Pimlico's Fedrico Tesio Stakes in his latest effort.

Preakness Status: Probable