Preakness Challengers -Dortmund and Firing Line: Who Can Beat American Pharoah

The two primary Preakness challengers to Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness favorite American Pharoah are Dortmund (now 5-1 odds) and Firing Line (just under 4-1 odds).

Dortmund could be viewed as the red-headed step child to trainer Bob Baffert, who most believe will be sharply focused on Derby winner, American Pharoah.  Both horses will start from the dreaded outside, providing Firing Line with a slight edge, especially from the more favorable outside position.

“It’s always a tactical advantage to be outside when you’re on a tactical speed horse,” jockey Gary Stevens said. “All three of these horses have proved themselves to be very, very good. I’m going to worry about my horse, not what’s going on in front of or behind me.”

He added: “My horse has been in three battles and he really relishes it. It was not an easy race on any of the three. It’s like Alydar and Affirmed, and it’s like we faced two Affirmeds in the Derby.”

American Pharoah will likely get a boost should rain affect the track surface as he’s already shown he can take to the mud.

- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com