Home » Horses We Love » Exaggerator Wins Preakness Stakes

Exaggerator Wins Preakness Stakes

Exaggerator Wins Preakness Stakes by Reinier Macatangay: Avenging his loss in the Kentucky Derby (GI) to Nyquist, Exaggerator captured the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, while Nyquist disappointed fans hoping for another Triple Crown bid by finishing third.

Avenging his loss in the Kentucky Derby (GI) to Nyquist, Exaggerator captured the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, while Nyquist disappointed fans hoping for another Triple Crown bid by finishing third.
Photo: Caris Photography

Noted for his wet-dirt affinity, Exaggerator won the second leg of the Triple Crown for trainer Keith Desormeaux and owners Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners and Rocker O Ranch, LLC. He improved his record to 11-5-3-1.

Without a doubt, the pace was quick as Uncle Lino, Nyquist, Awesome Speed and Collected sparred early on through an opening quarter in 22.38 seconds. The half mile went in a swift 46.56 seconds.

Exaggerator sat closer to the pace than in his past two races and stalked on the inside.

Turning for home, Nyquist was still in the mix, although it looked clear the early pace took its toll. Exaggerator came outside and had dead aim on the leaders, while Stradivari tried to get in the mix as well.

Exaggerator pulled off the victory, while Cherry Wine rallied up the rail for second. Nyquist suffered the first loss of his career in third and now owns a 9-8-0-1 record.

Stradivari finished fourth and Lani came late for fifth place.

The six-furlong and mile splits went in 1:11.97 and 1:38.19. Exaggerator completed the 1 3/16 mile distance in 1:58.31, which compares well with American Pharoah’s 1:58.46 last year.

Jockey Kent Desormeaux credited Exaggerator’s trip and his previous knowledge of Pimlico for the victory.

“Nyquist had company all around the course … I had a dream trip today,” Desormeaux said right after the race for an interview. “I was on the fence and they all stayed wide … knowledge is power.”

Exaggerator paid $7.20 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show.

Cherry Wine paid $9.80 to place and $4.20 to show.

Nyquist paid $2.20 to show.

The Triple Crown series moves to Belmont Park in New York in three weeks for the Belmont Stakes (GI).

Related Links:
Preakness Day 2016 Results, Payouts, Photos

Exaggerator Wins 2016 Preakness Stakes: