BALTIMORE — By virtue of his impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby, Barbaro was elevated to esteemed status. He immediately became the horse to beat in the Preakness, and many considered him capable of making a run to the Triple Crown.

By 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the racing world will know if he was worthy of the hype.

The dark bay colt was shipped by van from his home in Elkton, Md., Friday afternoon and checked into stall 40 at the Pimlico stakes barn shortly before 3 o'clock. Dozens of cameras recorded his every move, and a thick crowd of reporters were on hand to witness the event.

The attention given Barbaro will only intensify if he wins the Preakness on Saturday, keeping alive his bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

If he loses, however, the dark bay colt will join a long list of horses that seemed invincible after the Derby — only to be proven to be anything but.

As the countdown to the Preakness approached 24 hours, those associated with the eight horses bold enough to challenge Barbaro spoke with reverence about the Derby winner.

"The horse that everybody has to have an eye on is Barbaro," said jockey Alex Solis, who will be aboard Brother Derek. "He's the one to beat, right now."

That could change before the Belmont, depending on what kind of challenge the rest of the field can mount on Saturday. Or, if Barbaro fails to perform to expectations.

If Barbaro can win the $1 million Preakness, he will then attempt to accomplish what 10 horses have tried and failed to do since 1978 — become a Triple Crown champion.

"I would love him to win the Preakness and go on," Barbaro trainer Michael Matz said outside his barn at Fair Hill. "But first we've got this job in front of us."

Sweetnorthernsaint, who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, will ship from nearby Laurel Park to Pimlico on Saturday. Trainer Mike Trombetta hopes to duplicate the feat of Afleet Alex, who came back from a defeat in last year's Derby to win the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

"He's doing well and I feel very good about him," Trombetta said. "I think he's carrying his weight very well. He's a calm, cool relaxed horse right now."