BALTIMORE — American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby, yet didn’t look unbeatable, as he had in his previous races. His trainer says he struggled. His jockey went to the whip about 30 times to urge him on in the stretch. His owner says the Derby wasn’t even close to his best effort.

And now it’s time for the Preakness, where a victory Saturday would set up American Pharoah for a Triple Crown chance at the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. It also would give trainer Bob Baffert an unprecedented fourth Triple try.

Is American Pharoah up to the task?

“That horse didn’t really get his A game together in the Kentucky Derby, and he still won,” marveled Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who trains long shot Mr. Z, on Friday morning outside the stakes barn at Pimlico Race Course. “That’s a scary thought.”

American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat is the 4-5 morning-line favorite in an eight-horse field, and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza. Stablemate Dortmund, third in the Derby, is the second choice at 7-2, and Derby runner-up Firing Line is 4-1.

Dortmund also is trained by Baffert, setting up the possibility of a trainer spoiling his own Triple Crown chance. It happened 20 years ago to Lukas, but Baffert says of Dortmund: “He deserves another chance.”

Zayat, a three-time Derby runner-up before winning two weeks ago, is confident American Pharoah will prove again he’s the horse of a lifetime.

“I don’t believe the Derby showed the sheer brilliance of American Pharoah,” Zayat said. “I hoping you will see the real AP again on Saturday.”

His colt isn’t the only one ready to go.

Dortmund, with Martin Garcia aboard, is looking to avenge his first loss after six wins; Firing Line ran second to Dortmund twice, then fell a length short of American Pharoah in the Derby.

“Hopefully we can turn the tables on American Pharaoh, the same as we did Dortmund,” said Gary Stevens, Firing Line’s Hall of Fame jockey and a three-time Preakness winner.

If American Pharoah wins, it would be the 14th time since Affirmed swept in 1978 that a Triple Crown would be on the line in the Belmont. Baffert won the Derby and Preakness with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2002. All came up short in the Belmont.