Preakness a Rematch of the Derby?

If all goes according to plan, and none of the horses have problems, it looks as if American Pharoah, Firing Line and Dortmund will face each other again in the Preakness Stakes at old Hilltop.

Left to right: American Pharoah, Firing Line, and Dortmund

Frosted, who finished in fourth place will return to New York, and not run in the Preakness.  But, as in all the other years, new, fresh colts will be coming in to race against the Kentucky Derby contenders.  I still cringe when I remember the tirade that one of California Chrome's owners unleashed after his loss in the Belmont last year...  There is nothing, anywhere, that states that the colts who compete in all three of the Triple Crown races - the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes - shouldn't, couldn't, and will not run against fresh challengers in the second and third parts of the Triple Crown races.  That is one of the measures of a true champion - to be able to race three different distances over three different tracks in three different states in a period of five weeks, and to be able to win all three races against any and all other entrants. -  Jeez, I'm getting myself upset about it, which is stupid and nonproductive.

   The Zayat family, who owns American Pharoah, apparently loved his looks, as they bred his mother, Littleprincessemma, back to Pioneerof the Nile in both 2013 and 2014.  Here are some "family" photos:

Sire:  Pioneerof the Nile

Dam:  Littleprincessemma

American Pharoah as a foal

2014 filly is a full sister to American Pharoah

2015 colt, full brother, reportedly named Irish Pharoah