posted May 12, 2006 at 14:09 EST in Triple Crown Betting Trends

"It was a tremendous race for him," trainer Michael Matz said. "He trained well for the race and we're glad he didn't disappoint us."

Barbaro owned the field in the 132 Kentucky Derby and his domination has the Sport of Kings talking Triple Crown. The big dark brown bay colt had previously taken the Tropical Park Derby, the Holy Bull and the Florida Derby prior to crushing the Derby field, making him a perfect 6-for-6 heading into the Preakness to be ran on Saturday, May 20th. As well, with the Derby victory Barbaro takes over as this year's top money maker with $2,203,200 earned.The chances of Barbaro pulling of the Triple Crown feat, something that's not been done since last pulled off by Affirmed in 1978, became greater with news coming that competitor Lawyer Ron will indeed miss the Preakness due to an ankle injury. That's one less opponent undefeated Barbaro has to deal with in the 1 3/16th-mile Preakness.Barbaro is owned by Lael Stables. Lael Stables is the namesake of Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the breeders of Barbaro. He's trained by Michael Matz, a successful national and international, who now owns his first Kentucky Derby win.Jockey Edgar Prado will again climb aboard Barbaro in the second leg of the Triple Crown, and he's a rider who knows how to get the job done. Prado dominated the Maryland racing scene for years with multiple riding titles at both Laurel and Pimlico. He won 1,000 races over a two-year span in 1997-1998, to join Chris McCarron and Kent Desormeaux as the only riders to accomplish that feat and led the nation in wins with 536 in '97, 474 in '98, and 402 in '99.To make history Barbaro will have to again defeat several horses he ran against in the Derby, as well as some new faces in the likes of Gotham winner Like Now, Withers winner Bernardini and Simon Pure, who finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.Some of us may not remember the last time there was a Triple Crown winner, so getting to witness the incredible feat would be much welcomed. Given all the facts there seems to be no reason why Barbaro can't provide us with the honor of taking in this unprecedented event.

Will Barbaro win the Preakness?

* Note: Odds are for Barbaro to win the Preakness, it must race for wager to be valid.