Pre-Preakness Freak Out Precedes Exaggerator's Mudfest

Published on 23-May-2016 by Alan Adamsson

Horses    Horses Daily Update

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Pre-Preakness Freak Out Precedes Exaggerator's Mudfest

Strange day at Pimlico.

And not because of the muddy track, as that's what American Pharoah negotiated to win last year's Preakness. So no excuses for Nyquist there.

It was mortality being on public display, in full view of a track record 134,000 spectators:

  • Homeboykris won the day's first race before dying of an apparent heart attack after leaving the winner's circle.
  • Pramedya broke her leg in the fourth race, forcing medical staff to euthanize her right then and there on the track.

Of course, the show went on:

Yes. Yes, it was.

Which is more than can be said for the Belmont Stakes. For the 29th time since 1963, it won't have a Triple Crown build-up as part of its allure.

Instead, it'll serve as the rubber match between Exaggerator and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.

Let's just hope everyone stays careful out there.