After One Length Victory At Kentucky Derby Top Contenders Look to Preakness

Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates his win on American Pharoah with a spray of bubbly! Photo Credit: facebook.com/KentuckyDerby

“He has been a special horse since the first time I rode him. He has a lot of talent and is an unbelievable horse,”  said winning jockey, Victor Espinoza on American Pharoah.

Trainer Bob Baffert said American Pharoah’s one-length victory over Dortmund (also trained by Baffert) was about the horse, not him as the trainer. American Pharoah and third-place finisher Dortmund may both go on to the Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico on May 16th, 2015.

“American Pharoah and Dortmund will stay at Baffert’s stable at Churchill Downs this week. The decision on whether Dortmund will go on to the Preakness will be made when Baffert returns from California next weekend. Baffert said that as of Sunday that he could see of no reason why Dortmund — who set the pace for a mile and continued on bravely to hold the show position – would not go on to Balitmore. Baffert revealed that Dortmund’s Derby start was in jeopardy for several hours on April 25 when he had a slight bout with colic after a workout at Santa Anita Park.

Trainer Bob Baffert brought American Pharoah out to greet the media at Churchill Downs. Photo Credit: Reed Palmer/Churchill Downs

Baffert said that owners who send horses to his barn understand that they might be running against stablemates in big races such as the Triple Crown, which is why Dortmund is a candidate for the Preakness.

“My job is to get my people there,” he said. “If the horse is doing well do we run him there or wait for the Belmont? I don’t know. Let’s say if ‘Pharoah’ didn’t win the Preakness, I don’t think I would run him in the Belmont.

“It’s one of those things where I will sit down and discuss it with Kaleem Shah. I’m sure he’s going to want a little revenge. His horse ran a really good race. If ‘Pharoah’ is that good he’s going to have to run hard. Right now I would say if all’s well (he would run); and Dortmund looked good.”

Baffert said that his Derby celebration was a fairly quiet: dinner with his family and the Zayats, then watching the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight on television.”

*Excerpt from “American Pharoah, Rest Of Derby’sTop Three Have Preakness On Radar” article by John Asher at KentuckyDerby.com. Read the FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Frank & Susan Costantini, of Markel Insurance, sponsors of Tom McCutcheon’s Virtual Horse Help, looking fabulous at the Derby! 

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Texas A&M University Professor Anna Morrison, with whom Kat Paschal of Tom McCutcheon’s Virtual Horse Help guest lectures at Texas A&M, & Stephanie Bryant enjoying their Derby experience!

Absorbine ShowSheen “Groom Like A Pro Sweepstakes” winner Tarese and her mom at the Kentucky Derby!