IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown, on cruise control until asked to go by jockey Kent Desormeaux, exploded away from his 11 rivals at the top of the Pimlico homestretch to notch a dominating victory in the 133rd running of the $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes (G I) Saturday. Thus the results of the Preakness 2008 are already in and the Big Brown is the winner of Preakness horse racing.
Maryland native Richard Dutrow Jr. saddled the bay son of Boundary, who will go on to the Belmont Stakes in three weeks with a chance to become the 12th Triple Crown champion and first since Affirmed, who achieved the elusive feat 30 years ago.
Big Brown, who captured the Kentucky Derby by 4¾ lengths at Churchill Downs two weeks ago, won in hand by 5-1/4 lengths Saturday over long shot Macho Again. Icabad Crane was a half-length farther back in third and Racecar Rhapsody finished fourth.
Big Brown completed the 1-3/16ths distance in 1:54.86 over the fast main track. The track record for the Preakness Stakes is 1:53.46, held jointly by Curlin (2007), Louis Quatorze (1996) and Tank’s Prospect (1985).
With temperatures in the 70’s, a crowd of 112,222 enjoyed a splendid day of racing at Old Hilltop under partly sunny skies, sending $73,457,510 through the betting windows. Both numbers rank fifth on the all-time list.
Big Brown was the overwhelming 1-5 favorite among the fans on hand in Baltimore and nationwide simulcast bettors. He paid $2.40 to win as the shortest-priced winner since Maryland-based Spectacular Bid won in 1979 at 1-10. He topped a $36.60 exacta, a $336.80 triple and a $1,192.30 superfecta.
Source: By Preakness Release
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
