Triple Crown Talk: Let the Discussion Begin

This, of course, is natural when a Derby favorite lives up to the hype and looks as visually impressive as American Pharoah did in the week leading up to the Derby and while earning his stripes in the pressure-packed race. In short, the Bob Baffert trainee has generated the kind of buzz that has some believing he can accomplish what has eluded the best three year-old colts over the last four decades. So, after watching American Pharoah earn the first jewel of the Triple Crown, which of his three year-old rivals present the most pressing challenge?

Derby second and third place finishers are legit

First, there’s his stablemate Dortmund, who ran a game race in the Kentucky Derby while finishing third after setting the pace. According to Baffert’s post-Derby comments, Dortmund is likely to compete in the Preakness, and could be a more stubborn rival if given the opportunity to stalk the pace instead of creating it. Then there’s Firing Line, the second place finisher in the Derby who forced American Pharoah to labor in the final stages before yielding. Firing Line is also a probable Preakness starter according to his connections, and could find the shorter distance more to his liking.

Freshened for New York 

Two more horses who made favorable Derby impressions are Materiality who finished sixth after a troubled beginning and fourth-place finisher Frosted who was the only colt who closed any ground over the lightening fast Churchill Downs strip. Both horses would seem to be more likely candidates for the Belmont Stakes than the Preakness. If American Pharoah is able to escape the Preakness, both Materiality and Frosted will be well-rested for the grueling Belmont that has been the undoing of so many Triple Crown hopefuls including California Chrome and Big Brown in recent years. It’s worth noting the Materiality is a son of 2005 Preakness and Belmont winner Afleet Alex. One thing seems certain: if American Pharoah is able to win the Triple Crown, he will have beaten a deep and talented cast of three year-olds.