American Pharoah comfortably won the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Sunday, and now earns a chance to become the first horse in 37 years to complete the Triple Crown.
The Belmont Stakes on June 6 is the next challenge – and if you feel like it’s all happened before, it’s true. It’s the one that last year’s great hope, California Chrome, found a bridge too far.
American Pharoah won by over seven lengths in the rain and mud, dominant in the end and possibly more impressive than his victory in the Kentucky Derby.
The time of 1:58.45 recorded over 1900m was the slowest time run in the Preakness since 1956, owing to the incredible wet.
Mexican jockey Victor Espinoza will be on board, as he was for California Chrome’s campaign.
“He broke a little slow and I pushed him to go to front and as soon as I take the lead, that was it,” said Espinoza to Fairfax following the race.
The final leg in the Triple Crown is the one that throws up the most problems.
The Belmont has always been the ‘Test of Champions’, the 2400m longer distance and one that has become rarer in both US and Australian racing.
Since 1979’s triumph by Spectacular Bid, the 12 horses that have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness have struck out at Belmont. That includes horse California Chrome, but also the likes of Big Brown and Smarty Jones, very good horses and hot Belmont favourites.
American Pharoah is already priced in the market as a $2 favourite, although US parimutuels won’t open for some weeks.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
Mate, welcome to the club!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I was in New York when they ran it, but couldn't find a way to get out there.... the shame...
Bondy
Guest
I'll fess up I missed it then couldnt find it lol lol ...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
That's beyond embarrassing mate! I'm too ashamed to even make a joke!
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
Logistics conspired against me, but the Kentucky Derby is still on my list. I'd recommend going to the Belmont over the Preakness any day though. I love how they didn't play the national anthem before the race, instead going with a crowd singalong of "New York, New York".
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
Come on Tristan, surely this is the first 'hose' to have a chance to win the Triple Crown, not the first in 37 years!
Bondy
Guest
Its an unusual programme for the triple crown they have, they go from 2000 back 1900 then up to 2400 thats maybe what breaks them. I think the even money is not the right price for AP it should be about 6-4 2.50 or 7-4 2.80 the wet has glorified its effort and is trying to defeat 37 years of history...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Oh, amazing mate! Miss the Kentucky though?
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
I went to both the Preakness and Belmont in 2003, when Funny Cide won the Preakness by over 9 lengths only to fail at Belmont to win the triple crown. The tracks are remarkably different in shape, you really notice how long the straights are at Belmont compared to Pimlico. Still, he looks a very good horse this one, just not very good odds.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
It's certainly a different way of racing, Allanthus! The dirt means there's no bunching and so they string right out because the horses are let to run as they like. It's certainly unusual. Do you remember Zenyatta dawdling miles off them at the back and then running them down? At $2, there's just no value for American Pharoah, no matter how you look at it. The Belmont, as you say, is a true test. Can't wait!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Hi Tristan Obviously Triple Crown's don't come easily but AP does look next to unbeatable on what we've seen in the Derby and Preakness. And we know he can handle the "slop" as well. I love how these races are true staying tests, very little in the way of tactics, the heat goes on early and the pretenders get blown right out the back.