With five minutes to post before the Preakness Stakes on Saturday afternoon, rain fell so ferociously that it was nearly impossible to see across the race track. Gusty winds blew banners nearly off the hospitality tent in the infield, thunder crashed, and lightning lit up a sky so dark that people at Pimlico were cracking Wizard of Oz jokes.
But officials at Pimlico elected to run the race as scheduled, and when it was over, the Zayat family once again rejoiced as their American Pharoah dominated the 140th Preakness and will likely head to Belmont to take a shot at becoming the 12th winner of the Triple Crown.
“He’s just an incredible horse,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who won his sixth Preakness, tying for second all-time. “What he does is amazing.”
American Pharoah and Victor Espinoza win the Preakness. Maryland Jockey Club photo.
Potentially hampered by drawing the #1 post position, American Pharoah went right to the front under jockey Victor Espinoza and led for every step of the 1 3/16 miles.
“I was freezing. I was just so wet,” said Espinoza. “I had to bounce out of the gate to take the lead with all the rain.”
Espinoza will be taking his third shot at a Triple Crown, having ridden War Emblem (2002) and California Chrome (2014) to wins in the Derby and Preakness. War Emblem finished eighth in the Belmont, California Chrome fourth.
“I hope the third time is the charm,” said Espinoza.
Bob Baffert will be attempting for the fourth time to win the Triple Crown. He won the first two legs in 1997 (Silver Charm), 1998 (Real Quiet), and 2002 (War Emblem), only to come up short in the Belmont.
"I don't really think about the third leg yet," said Baffert after the race. "I'll see how he comes back. It's going to be tough. I've always said this is the easiest of the three legs, and...I know everybody right now is sharpening their knives getting ready."
The odds-on favorite, American Pharoah won by seven lengths and paid $3.80 to win. Longshot Tale of Verve (28-1) was second, and Divining Rod was third.
In addition to the inclement weather, Pimlico had to deal with a serious plumbing problem, as a nearby water main break left most of the track without water for much of the afternoon. Though horses were able to be hosed off and watered, most of the toilets in the main building stopped working for several hours, resulting in long lines of hot, irate customers.
Announced attendance for the Preakness was 131,680, a record. Handle was $85,161,000, up from $83,786,000 last year.
