American Pharoah blasted the field at the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes Saturday and now will have the opportunity to run for the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes in three weeks.
Starting from the inside and getting out to an early lead, American Pharoah was the first horse to win from the rail since 1994 and just the third favorite since 1950 to start from the inside position. It was the sixth straight win for American Pharoah, who proved he can win in any track conditions as it was rainy and muddy at Pimlico.
Tale of Verve placed and Divining Rod showed in the race.
With American Pharoah winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown, trainer Bob Baffert will have his fourth horse going for the elusive title. No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Jockey Victor Espinoza will try for the Triple Crown for the second consecutive year after winning the first two legs last year riding California Chrome.
American Pharoah cruised to victory with a multiple-length lead:
