Baltimore, MD
Exaggerator flipped the script and finally defeated his rival Nyquist en route to a convincing win in the 141st Preakness Stakes at Pmilico Race Course.
The 3-year-old colt relished the sloppy track and contested pace, rallying from a distant 8th to a clear 3 1/2 length victory.
For the first time in five races Jockey Kent Desormeaux angled Exaggerator out 6-wide to take the lead for good over the favorite at the top of the lane and never looked back.
Nyquist, Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, ran a gutty race finishing in third, and a nose out of second place. The champion just couldn't keep the quick pace going after setting fast opening fractions of :22 and :46 for the 1 3/16 mile distance. This was his first career defeat.
Cherry Wine, also benefited from the hot pace, came into the picture late to snatch the second spot right at the wire and complete the exacta.
Exaggerator returned $7.20 to win and ran the 2O16 Preakness Stakes in a final time of 1:58.
The battle will continue in New York at Belmont Park. The third jewel in the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes set to run June 11.