Exaggerator wins the 2016 Preakness Stakes

Before the Preakness Stakes, Exaggerator was 0-for-4 against the unbeaten Nyquist. After finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator came back to win the Preakness Stakes two weeks later in a fantastic race. Well before Saturday and well before the rain started, Exaggerator was known to love muddy tracks. The 2016 Preakness stakes proved to be no different, as Exaggerator was clearly the best horse on the track. Unofficially, Exaggerator finished the race in 1:58.31.

Nyquist started the race strong and was challenged throughout by Uncle Lino, who had 35-1 odds to win the race. Exaggerator at one point was 13 lengths behind Nyquist, but continued to close the gap steadily throughout the race, which featured a very fast pace. Nyquist was forced to work hard early and Exaggerator stayed steady throughout, giving him the ability to pull away from the rest of the pack in the home stretch. In the final stretch, Nyquist even tried to switch to an outside position but ran out of steam as Cherry Wine finished in second place with Exaggerator in the lead.

Exaggerator came into the race with 5-2 odds. Nyquist had 3-5 and Cherry Wine with 17-1 odds. Exaggerator will take home $900,000 as the winner. Cherry Wine receives $300,000 and Nyquist takes home $165,000.

Exaggerator is trained by Keith Desormeaux and ridden by his Hall of Fame jockey brother, Kent. He came into the race with 3-1 odds. All eyes now turn to the The Belmont Stakes, which will be held June 11 in New York.