THE trainer of 2015 Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah claims that the Preakness Stakes is the easiest of the Triple Crown races to win.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert hasn't lost a Preakness Stakes with a Kentucky Derby winner in three attempts and American Pharoah will be at short odds to make that 4-0.
Online bookmaker Crownbet.com.au has the talented three-year-old at $1.65 before final acceptances. There are 11 horses nominated, but some are expected to drop away throughout the week.
Baffert, considered one of the best trainers of all time in the United States, eyes the upcoming Preakness Stakes at Pimlico this Sunday.
“To me, the Preakness is the easiest of the three legs,” Baffert said.
“The Derby is the hardest. Once you get through there, you know your horses are in top form.
“It's a two-week turnaround. It's just a matter of getting there.”
Baffert isn't so bullish about his chances in the third leg of the Triple Crown as he is 0 for 3 in attempts to win the Triple Crown.
“The Belmont,” he said.
“You see that it wears on them.”
“I'm not even thinking about it right now. I just want to enjoy this win [Kentucky Derby] and go to the Preakness and really enjoy it.
“I'm older. It's much less pressure now.”
Both Baffert runners, American Pharoah and Dortmund, have worked well throughout the week without needing much exercise.
“I was happy with both of them,” he said. “It looks like they have kept the same energy level.
“American Pharoah floated over the ground and picked up his gallop the last half-mile. He wanted to do more. Dortmund got aggressive with Dana [Barnes] and galloped well.”
Baffert has scheduled both his runners to travel to Pimlico Race Course in Maryland on Thursday, before they start their final preparations ahead of Sunday's US$1.5 million feature over 1900 metres.
“Coming out of a big race like the Derby, you don't have to do too much,” he said. “It is just a matter of keeping them at the same level.
“The good horses are easier to train. These two are used to running a lot and coming back in two weeks is not a big concern with them.”
Baffert isn't showing any concerns that his other runner, Dortmund, could end American Pharoah's Triple Crown chances.
“I think he [Dortmund] deserves another chance,” Baffert said. “In my barn, everyone gets a shot.”
There were questions floating about regarding to use of jockey Victor Espinoza's use of the whip in the Kentucky Derby, but Baffert said the veteran was just trying to keep it focused.
“He was flagging him and hitting him, but he hits him on the saddle towel, and he doesn't really hit that hard.
“It was to keep him busy. The horse wasn't responding on the turn for home.”
Possible Preakness Stakes field and odds
*Select odds offered by WilliamHill.com.au
1. American Pharoah – $1.65 at WilliamHill.com.au
2. Danzig Moon – $21
3. Divining Rod – $21
4. Dortmund
5. Firing Line – $5.50
6. Bodhisattva – $34
7. Tale Of Verve
8. Carpe Diem
9. Competitive Edge – $9
10. Grand Bili
11. Materiality
12. Stanford – $26
13. TBA
14. TBA