American Pharaoh Ran Down Firing Line from the 18th Gate to Win the 141st Kentucky Derby
The trainers of American Pharaoh, Firing Line, and Dortmund say the top three finishers in the 2015 Kentucky Derby are going to race in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. American Pharaoh ran strong at the end of the race in order to win the 141st Kentucky Derby. The thoroughbred came from 3rd place to edge out its two main rivals, though the race was in doubt until the final steps.
American Pharaoh has been installed with a -140 line for the Preakness Stakes. The horse is said to have finished the Kentucky Derby healthy. Given its startling victory (given its start in the 18th gate), American Pharaoh is seen as a distinct favorite for the Preakness. The horse, which has Victor Espinoza along for the ride, was still making its way across the rail at the post. By the end of the race, American Pharaoh appeared to be increasing in strength, boding well for the second leg of the Triple Crown, which is longer than the course at Churchill Downs.
Bob Baffert Wins 4th Derby
62-year old Bob Baffert won his 4th Kentucky Derby as a trainer, though this was his first win in 13 years. His previous Kentucky Derby wins include Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), and War Emblem (2002).
Along the way, Baffert has won five Preakness Stakes (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, and 2010) and one Belmont Stakes (2001). Bob Baffert’s career at the Triple Crown races goes back to 1996, when he trained the three-year old coat, Cavonnier, which ran second in the Kentuck Derby.
Victor Espinoza Wins 3rd Derby
42-year old jockey Victor Espinoza won his 3rd Kentucky Derby, after winning astride War Emblem in 2002 and California Chrome in 2014. Espinoza is the likely rider for American Pharaoh when he races in the Preakness Stakes one month from now. Previously, Espinoza won the Preakness while riding War Emblem and California Chrome.
American Pharaoh’s Chances
Given the impressive team around American Pharaoh, the horse should get a lot of buzz as a potential Triple Crown winner. The Triple Crown of Thoroghbred Racing has proven elusive for every participant in the races since 1978, when Affirmed defeated Alydar in a series of classic races. Since that time, 13 different Kentucky Derby winners went on to win the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
The 1-and-3/16 mile Preakness Stakes is held every year at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1-and-1/2 mile Belmont Stakes is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Elmont is located just east of Queens, New York. Each of the three races thus stretches the distance (the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is a 1-and-1/4 mile race). Also, some top horses which miss the Kentucky Derby for various reasons (health or pedigree for longer races) race in the later legs of the Triple Crown, so any horse challenging for the coveted third leg is often facing fresher horses.
Firing Line
Firing Line, who finished 2nd in the Kentucky Derby in a close finish, Firing Line is owned by Arnold Zetcher LLC. Its pedigree is through the Line of David: Sister Girl Blues by Hold For Gold. Firing Line is trained by the matter-of-fact Simon Callaghan, who is still seeking his fourth Kentucky Derby win.
Simon Callaghan said Gary Stevens, the jockey, had Firing Line in position to win. Callaghan said, “I thought we had it at one point. I could see it was going to get close between the three of them. It’s tough. It’s the biggest race of the year. The horses ran incredible.”
Callaghan said he could not praise his horse strongly enough. He said, “What can I say? He has done it all but win. I know this horse is by far the best I have ever been around. American Pharoah is exceptional. Gary (Stevens) rode a great race, he had him in the right spot. We just got beat. I didn’t expect him to be as close as he was, but I knew Gary had him right. We tried all the way,” he added. About the second place finish, Callaghan said, “Tough beat.”
Dortmund
Third-place finisher Dortmund also is trained by Bob Baffert, who is having his best year in some time. Dortmund was a favorite coming into the race, given that his sire was the 2008 Kentucky Derby winner, Big Brown. Dortmund is owned by Kaleem Shah, Inc. and is ridden by jockey Martin Garcia, who won the 2010 Preakness.
More Horses at the Preakness
Most of the field for the Preakness has yet to be announced. Divining Rod, which is owned by the Lael Stable, trained by Arnaud Delacor, and ridden by jockey Julien Laparoux, has announced for the race. So has Bodhisattva, which is owned and trained by Jose Corrales and ridden by Trevor McCarthy.
As the race gets nearer, more will be known about the field and the odds for each horse. American Pharoah had a very impressive rundown of Firing Line, as the horses set a blistering pace. That should make the thoroughbred a decided favorite in the race in Baltimore next month.
