Exaggerator Wins Preakness Stakes

There won’t be a Triple Crown winner this season. On Saturday, Exaggerator got the first victory of his career in five tries against Kentucky Derby champion Nyquist. This time, he emerged victorious as he took the victory in the 141st running of the Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Track.

The victory could give mainstream media fame to trainer Keith Desormeaux, the brother of jockey Kent Desormeux who was aboard Exaggerator. Exaggerator might not have beaten Nyquist before Saturday but he’s been a very solid horse since entering the sport. He’s run 11 career races with 5 wins and nine in the money finishes. Racing fans and horse bettors love that kind of consistency. He’s also shown a knack for running in adverse weather and track conditions. He won the Santa Anita Derby on a sloppy, off track and the track was in similar shape in Baltimore on Saturday. Cherry Wine finished second and Nyquist third.

Nyquist’s connections had a questionable strategy of sending him to the front trying to outrun the rest of the field. He did a great job at first, setting a record for the fastest first quarter mile in Preakness history along with Uncle Lino at 22.38 seconds. He eventually began to tire and the closing horses including Exaggerator caught him in the stretch. Nyquist will get to avenge this defeat, however, as both he and race winner Exaggerator have been confirmed for the Belmont Stakes.

Jockey Desormeaux gave Exaggerator a perfect ride: “I had an absolute dream ride. I was able to inch forward and gain on the leaders slowly and quietly. From the three-eighths to the quarter, I was slowing him down, waiting. He felt like King Kong. When I pitched him out, he exploded.” His brother admitted that he’s just now getting used to the media attention that his famous jockey sibling handles with such poise: “This is the only time when we’re part of the mainstream media. “It’s an American classic for a reason. To finally get to win one, it’s kind of hard to describe. What I’m feeling now is awesome confirmation of a lifetime of dedicating myself to finding and getting the best out of a horse.”