Darkish horse Seize the Gray galloped to a Preakness Stakes victory in Baltimore on Saturday, denying Mystik Dan a spot in historical past and delivering one other garland of black-eyed Susans to legendary coach D. Wayne Lukas.
The variety of horses to win the Triple Crown will stay at 13 after the Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan completed in second place.
The final Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018.
The delicate 9-1 lengthy shot Seize the Gray is owned by 2,750 micro-investors, making for a wild scene within the winner’s circle.
“Are you able to think about how many individuals are going to relish on this and luxuriate in it,” Lukas informed NBC Sports activities moments after the race. “It’ll be actually one thing.”
Seize the Gray’s triumph marked the seventh Preakness win for the 88-year-old Lukas, who now has seven garlands of black-eyed Susans after earlier victories in 1980, 1985, 1994, 1995, 1999 and 2013.
Lukas might barely take a step to the winner’s circle with out being mobbed by opponents and fellow trainers who wished to congratulate him.
“I believe they’re attempting to do away with and doubtless need me to retire,” the joyous Lukas joked.
Seize the Gray led on the high of the stretch when Mystik Dan kicked it into excessive gear and regarded poised to take the lead.
However Seize the Gray by no means relented and ended up pulling away within the closing strides for a cushty, 2¼-length victory.
The Preakness winner paid $21.60 for a $2 win wager, as 2-1 favourite Mystik Dan occurred and Catching Freedom present.
Mystik Dan’s coach, Kenny McPeek, had nothing however form phrases for the coach who denied him a potential Triple Crown.
“Wayne’s a tremendous man and he’s a man I’ve at all times idolized, and if I’m going to be beat, it’s wonderful to be beat by him,” McPeek mentioned. “Really, over time, I’ve been beat by him loads of instances.”
Solely Bob Baffert, with eight Preakness wins, has greater than Lukas.
The Pat Day Mile winner, Seize the Gray, was guided to victory on Saturday by 25-year-old jockey Jaime Torres.
The ultimate race of the Triple Crown season will occur June 8 on the Belmont Stakes.
David Ok. Li
David Ok. Li is a senior breaking information reporter for NBC Information Digital.
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