Kentucky Derby 2015: American Pharoah, Dortmund and the man who trained them both

The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby is expected to be one of the most competitive in the race’s history, and no man is better positioned to emerge from this deep and talented field as a winner on Saturday evening than Bob Baffert. The 62-year-old is the trainer for both the betting favorite (American Pharoah) and the top contender (Dortmund) in this year’s Derby, giving him a one-two punch that is nearly unprecedented at this prestigious race.

Even Baffert is surprised by this confluence of greatness on the racetrack. “I cannot believe I’m here with two horses like this,” he said while holding court in front of reporters at Barn 33 on Wednesday. Baffert is looking for his first Derby crown since 2002 (War Emblem) and fourth overall.

American Pharoah enters this weekend on a four-race winning streak, including a dominant eight-length victory in his most recent race at the Arkansas Derby. American Pharoah will break from post 18, a position that has not seen much success in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Only one horse has won from No. 18, Gato Del Sol in 1982.

Dortmund will put his undefeated (6-0) record on the line when he breaks from the No. 8 post on Saturday. Dortmund looked really good in winning the Santa Anita Derby by 4¼ lengths in early April, and likely would have been the favorite here at Churchill Downs in nearly any other year.

When asked which colt is his favorite, Baffert had the perfect answer: “That’s like asking me which kid I love more,” he told Blood-Horse.com in March.

Baffert is one of the most successful trainers in the history of the sport, but never before has he gone into a Derby with a pair of aces like this. Regardless of how the race ultimately unfolds, we are very likely going to have one of the best intra-barn duels in what is shaping up to be one of the most memorable “Run For The Roses” in decades.