141st Preakness Brings Some Surprises
Photo by Jenna Kauffman
On Sat, May 21, the 141st Preakness took place in Baltimore, MD. According to WBAL-TV, there was a record attendance of over 135,000 people, up by 11 percent compared to last year. Despite the muddy weather, many came out to see the race and place their bets.
The rainy weather was not the only thing bringing the mood down on the day of the races. Prior to the beginning of the event, two horses, Homeboykris and Pramedya, died at the Pimlico Race Course. Homeboykris mysteriously collapsed while Pramedya broke a bone in her leg and had to be euthanized, CNN.com reports. Further answers must wait until necropsies are performed on the horses. The jockey on Pramedya, Daniel Centeno, was also injured with a broken collarbone.
Despite the dreary beginning, there was a surprise success with Exaggerator (3/1), who ended Nyquist’s (3/5) Triple Crown Bid by taking first, and Nyquist finished third. Cherry Wine (20/1) took second, while Stradivari (8/1) and Lani (30/1) took fourth and fifth in that order. Exaggerator had previously taken second to Nyquist twice, but turned those odds around and knocked his way into first.
Stradivari was the only favorite who was not able to place in the top three, which was a disappointment for those who placed huge bids. According to CBS Sports, an anonymous gambler dropped $80,000 on the horse.
Despite the few fluxes before the race, many of the horses made it through the slippery race track. Exaggerator came out on top despite Nyquist’s favor to win.