Exaggerator has won the Preakness under sloppy track conditions at Pimlico, ending Nyquist’s bid to become horse racing’s second Triple Crown victor in two years. Both horses are confirmed for starts in the Belmont Stakes, and tradition has shown, the victor of at least two-thirds of the Triple Crown is generally crowned the champion three-year-old at the end of the year.
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A record Preakness crowd of 134,000 were on hand to see it.
“I looked at him, and he looked at me, and I got a fist pump”, Kent explained.
Desormeaux, however, gave Exaggerator a ground-saving ride, moving up easily at halfway to sit within about five lengths of the lead before closing on the far turn and then being switched outside Nyquist as they hit the stretch. The 141st Preakness Horse Race will be held Saturday. Outsider Cherry Wine pipped Nyquist to claim second place at the wire as the favourite plugged on gamely inside the final furlong. “I didn’t think we could get beat, to be honest with you”.
As for Nyquist, he may have the pedigree that suggests sprinter to miler, but he has proven time and time again that he can go any distance.
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Nyquist had been unbeaten in eight starts and was the overwhelming favorite heading into the starting gate. “What a great run”, Nyquist trainer Doug O’Neill said after the race.
