Top three Derby finishers will point to Preakness

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – American Pharoah, Firing Line, and Dortmund, the first three finishers in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, are being pointed to the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 16, their trainers said Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Bob Baffert, who won his fourth Derby with American Pharoah and also trains the third-place finisher Dortmund, said, “Right now, I don’t see why not,” when asked if both would contest the Preakness.

“I’ll have to talk to Kaleem Shah,” Baffert said, referring to the owner of Dortmund. “I’m sure he wants a little revenge.”

American Pharoah is owned and was bred by Ahmed Zayat, whose oldest son, Justin, is the stable’s racing manager.

“They gave me a really good horse, and I didn’t screw it up,” Baffert said. “That was the toughest Derby I’ve been in.”

Baffert said American Pharoah, whose four previous wins all had been in effortless fashion, “finally had to work.”

“It was a stiff race,” he said. “From here, he should really move forward.”

Baffert said American Pharoah would “have a really light week” of training.

“I’ve got to get the weight back on him,” he said.

The fact Dortmund could be a main threat to stop American Pharoah’s quest for a Triple Crown was addressed by Baffert, who said it’s “not fair to the owner” to favor another owner’s horse in such situations.

“When you’re in a big barn like mine, you have to understand that you might be beat by another horse in the barn,” Baffert said. “If Dortmund turns the tables, so be it.”

American Pharoah and Dortmund will remain at Churchill Downs until early next week, Baffert said. He was not sure if they would work between the Derby and Preakness. The plane that brings horses from Churchill Downs to Pimlico is booked for May 13, the Wednesday of Preakness week.

Also on that flight will be Firing Line, who again put a scare into a Baffert-trained horse after dropping two close decisions to Dortmund in prior stakes races.

“He ran his race, and he got beat by a really good horse,” said trainer Simon Callaghan.

Firing Line had been off six weeks prior to his final Derby prep, the Sunland Derby, then had six weeks into the Kentucky Derby.

“That fact we spaced his races should be beneficial,” Callaghan said. “Running back on two weeks doesn’t concern me.”

As of Sunday morning, the only other Derby runners considered possible for the Preakness were Danzig Moon, who was fifth, and Materiality, who was sixth after a dreadful trip. Horses that missed the Derby but could run in the Preakness include Divining Rod, International Star, and Stanford.

Frosted, who finished fourth after a strong, wide rally on the far turn, is “very doubtful” for the Preakness, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

“He came out of the race great,” McLaughlin said. “It’s the Kentucky Derby – a lot of excuses, one winner. He ran the best race of his life. I’m very happy with the horse. We’re going to have a lot of fun with him this year.”