American Pharoah put in a memorable performance on memorable day in the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 16, going wire-to-wire and winning by seven lengths to keep alive hopes for a Triple Crown, racing’s elusive Holy Grail.
With lightning flashing, thunder rolling and rain sweeping across Old Hilltop, Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah was electric as jockey Victor Espinoza made short work of the supposed disadvantage that the No. 1 post position was feared to pose.
American Pharoah bolted from the starting gate and got a quick start on stablemate Dortmund in gate No. 2 on a track that had turned from fast to sloppy in a matter of minutes as the weather quickly went from threatening to stormy.
The early challenge to American Pharoah, owned by Zayat Stables, came from the No. 3 horse, Mr. Z, but Mr. Z was able to stay that close only until the far turn. He eventually faded and finished fifth.
As the pack headed into the stretch, American Pharoah began stretching the lead with clear sailing to the finish line and a date with racing history at the Belmont Stakes in New York June 6.
American Pharoah will try to become only the 12th horse to ever win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. It was last done by Affirmed in 1978.
“I don’t even want to think about [the Triple Crown] right now,” American Pharoah trainer Bob Baffert said. “I’ve been there, and I don’t want to think about [it] for another couple of weeks. We’ll just see how the horse comes back. I want to enjoy this.”
The pre-race favorite finished the 1 3/16-mile Preakness in 1:58.46 and paid $3.80, $3.40 and $2.80. Second-place finisher Tale of Verve, ridden by Joel Rosario, paid $19.00 and $8.80. The show horse, Divining Rod, with Javier Castellano riding, paid $5.80.
Interestingly, the bad weather may have been crucial in determining American Pharoah’s victory. There was concern that the Derby winner would get boxed in from the No. 1 spot and have to fight his way to the front.
Espinoza said the rain dictated his strategy. The jockey was asked if going to the front was his plan all along.
“Not before,” Espinoza said. “But after the rain, I changed my mind.”
Assuming American Pharoah goes to the Belmont with Espinoza in the irons, it will be the third time that the Mexican-born jockey has a chance to win the Triple Crown. He failed on California Chrome last year and on War Emblem in 2002.
“Hopefully, the third time is the lucky charm,” Espinoza said.
American Pharoah trainer Baffert is also a history-maker. American Pharoah was his sixth winner overall in the Preakness, and it was the fourth time in four tries Baffert brought a Derby winner to Baltimore and triumphed. Since the 20th century began, Baffert is tied for most Preakness wins by a trainer with D. Wayne Lukas. R. Wyndham Walden won seven Preakness races in the 19th century.
“He’s just an incredible horse,” Baffert said of American Pharoah. “What he does is amazing. I love Baltimore. As soon as we got out here, they just greeted us with open arms, and the fans are amazing.”
The key to the Preakness win was Espinoza getting the bay colt out of the starting gate so quickly.
“It went very well. He bounced out of there,” Espinoza said. “He broke a tiny bit slow, and I pushed him to the front. As soon as I took the lead, that was it. He was very comfortable cruising around at high speed.”
An advantage to getting out front was keeping the mud out of his own horse’s face, Espinoza said.
Baffert agreed.
“The rain can change the dynamics of the race. Longshots can come and get you,” Baffert said.
But American Pharoah seems to be impervious to the conditions, Baffert said.
“He brought his A-game today,” Baffert said.