simon callaghan

¿I knew from the start that it just wasn't happening,¿ Firing Lien trainer Simon Callaghan said.

It will take a lot of bad luck in the 2015 Preakness for American Pharoah to have a bad run and not win, experts say.

Bob Baffert, trainer for Derby winner American Pharoah and Dortmund, who finished third, said both took to the Pimlico Race Course track well.

American Pharoah is a brilliant horse, admired by all the wisest observers in the racing game. But the Kentucky Derby champion is always a sensation during Preakness week. What sets this year apart is the presence of two challengers in Firing Line and Dortmund who gave the champ all he wanted at Churchill Downs.

2015 Preakness contenders American Pharoah, Dortmund, and Firing Line were among those to work out at Pimlico Thursday morning

2015 Preakness has an eight-horse field with American Pharoah a 4-5 favorite and Dortmund and Firing Line the second choices at 7-2.

Baltimore could be set to host a blockbuster sequel with Kentucky Derby champion American Pharoah and top rivals Firing Line and Dortmund all pointed toward the May 16 Preakness.

Firing Line entered as the most famous runner-up in the Kentucky Derby field, the horse that twice pushed Dortmund to the wire, only to lose each time.