"American Pharoah" bids for second jewel of American Triple crown

Kentucky Derby winner "American Pharoah" bids for the second leg of the American Horseracing Triple Crown, when he faces seven rivals in Saturday's 140th Preakness Stakes over 9 1/2 furlongs at the Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland.

Following his now famous 1-length victory over 'Firing Line" and "Dortmund" in the May 2 Kentucky Derby over 1 1/4 miles, American Pharoah faces his vanquished rivals  "Firing Line" and "Dortmund" yet again, but under different circumstances.

While he was able to relax and track stablemate 'Dortmund" in the Kentucky Derby who attempted to go from gate to wire, and "Firing Line," "American Pharoah" will face tight turns at Pimlico and a speed track which will favour his stable mate 'Dortmund."

There is no doubt "Dortmund" (3rd in the Derby) will flash early speed and attempt to dominate this field, with "Firing Line" who was second in the Derby will be right up there with him.

"American Pharoah" will again be ridden by Victor Espinosa for trainer Bob Baffert. In addition to "Firing Line" and "Dortmund," the "Pharoah" should be mindful of "Divining Rod" to be ridden by Javier Castellano. The rest of the field is Mr. Z with Corey Nakatani, Danzing Moon Julian Peparoux, Tale of Verve with Joe Rosario, and Bodhisattva the mount of Tim McCarthy.

The grade-1 stakes event for 3-year-olds with purse money of US$1.5 million is scheduled to be run at approximately 5:18p.m. Jamaica time.