American Pharoah Goes for Second Leg of Triple Crown in Preakness

American Pharoah goes for his second straight win in the Preakness.
Photo courtesy of foxsports.com

Saturday evening will be the 140th running of the Preakness, the second leg of the chase for a Triple Crown. This year’s 141st Kentucky Derby was won by American Pharoah, although Firing Line gave him a run for his money throughout the Derby.

As the hour draws near to the post time, the clear favorites are American Pharoah, Dortmund and Firing Line at the head of the field.

The Preakness has eight horses in the field this year. On Wednesday evening, the post positions were drawn and the favorite American Pharoah received the inside line at the first position followed by Dortmund at two. Firing Line got the eighth position on the outside of the pack.

Looking at the distance, the horse will have to run this weekend, with the Preakness being 1 3/16 miles shorter a furlong than the Kentucky Derby and 2 1/2 furlongs shorter than the Belmont in three weeks on June 6.

American Pharoah is a gifted thoroughbred by changing gears going into the home stretch of the race. Making him the favorite for Saturday’s race.

Last year, California Chrome tired to accomplish a feat that has not been done seen Affirmed completed the challenge in 1978.

After the great show American Pharoah, Firing Line and Dortmund showed in the Derby, this race could be one for the ages that comes down to the wire as all three push one another to see who comes out on top.

Here is the Preakness post line up:

1. American Pharoah

2. Dortmund

3. Mr. Z

4. Danzig Moon

5. Tale of Verve

6. Bodhisattva

7. Divining Rod

8. Firing Line

Fans of the Triple Crown, pick the one that will win it and get set to watch another great run when the post goes up at 5:18 CST.

Adam Brown is HottyToddy.com sports editor and can be reached at adam.brown@hottytoddy.com.