Spotlight on American Pharoah in Preakness

I first got interested in horse racing in the 1970s when three horses — Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978) — won the Triple Crown in rapid fire.

In fact, my first job in racing was an entry-level role in the New York Racing Association publicity department, and I was hired the week of the 1979 Belmont Stakes. Spectacular Bid was seeking to make it four Triple Crown champions in the decade.

I recall reading some columns saying the Triple Crown was too easy to win. Boy, if those writers knew then what we know now. It’s been 36 years and counting since Affirmed did it.

Which brings us to Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah, the only horse eligible this year to win the Triple Crown, thus a laser beam shines on him and trainer Bob Baffert.

Baffert is an old hand at this. He has had three Derby winners (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002) that all won the Preakness but lost in the Belmont Stakes. With American Pharoah, he’d love to do one race better.

American Pharoah (4-5) clearly is the horse to beat in the Preakness on Saturday. His Derby win was done while racing wide and traveling the farthest amount of ground according to Trakkus. Now he draws the rail where he can save every inch of ground.

In Preakness history, horses exiting the Derby have a big edge over the newcomers. Thus Firing Line (4-1), Dortmund (7-2), Danzig Moon (15-1) and Mr. Z (20-1) also deserve a look.

Firing Line was second by a length to American Pharoah in the Derby. He figures to be the wiseguy horse because if he changes leads this time at Pimlico, he’ll be stronger in the stretch.

Dortmund lost some luster as he ran third, three lengths behind stablemate American Pharoah. Dortmund had a perfect trip. But he might have been compromised by a minor bout of colic a week before the Derby.

It’s hard for me to get excited about Danzig Moon or Mr. Z. However, there is a new shooter with a bright future in Divining Rod (12-1). He won the Lexington at Keeneland five weeks ago. The win gave him enough points to make the Derby field. His trainer Arnaud Delacour opted to skip the Derby and point for the Preakness.

The key to the Preakness is in the hands of Baffert and his two jockeys, Victor Espinoza on American Pharoah and Martin Garcia on Dortmund.

Both colts have natural early speed, but they will not duel each other. The Derby was a perfect example. Dortmund left while American Pharoah stalked.

With a tricky rail post, American Pharoah could be the speed horse this time. He never has had dirt kicked into his face, so why experiment in the Preakness?

I have faith that Baffert will draw up a Bill Belichick game plan to give his colts their best shot to win.

ENG’S PICKS — American Pharoah, Dortmund, Firing Line, Divining Rod

■ TWIN QUINELLA — Station Casinos will offer a $10,000 Twin Quinella on Saturday.

■ HANDICAPPING CONTESTS — There are two live-money handicapping contests this weekend. The weekly South Point Spring Fling will be Friday. Santa Anita is hosting the Preakness Challenge on Saturday and Sunday in Arcadia, Calif.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick