Exaggerator finally gets by Nyquist roadblock

10:26 PM ET

BALTIMORE — On a cold, rainy, dreary afternoon, the wattage from the smiles of those connected to Exaggerator could have lit up the town, from the Inner Harbor to Camden Yards, to Fells Point, and all the way to Pimlico Race Course.

Exaggerator had given futile chase to Nyquist at Santa Anita, Keeneland, and just two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby when finishing second, but on Saturday, in his fifth try, he had finally, memorably prevailed in the 141st Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

In Charm City, the fifth time was the charm.

“This is the only time when we’re part of the mainstream media,” said Keith Desormeaux, Exaggerator’s trainer. “It’s an American classic for a reason. To finally get to win one, it’s kind of hard to describe. What I’m feeling now is awesome confirmation of a lifetime of dedicating myself to finding and getting the best out of a horse.”

Desormeaux won the race in concert with his brother, jockey Kent Desormeaux, who gave Exaggerator a flawless ride. He won it with the backing of Matt Bryan, who races as Big Chief Racing and has given Keith Desormeaux the financial wherewithal to pick out more-expensive yearlings. Desormeaux’s girlfriend, Julie Clark, works tirelessly as his assistant trainer. This was a victory for perseverance.

It was Exaggerator who persevered most of all. This was his 11th lifetime start and his fifth start of the year. He has raced in California, New York, Louisiana, Kentucky and now Maryland and has fired almost every time, with five wins and nine finishes in the money. But until Saturday, he had never defeated Nyquist. By winning the Preakness, Exaggerator sent Nyquist to his first defeat and allowed American Pharoah — who swept the Triple Crown last year — to retain his title as the only horse to have won the Triple Crown since 1978.

Editor’s PicksOpening quarter tells the tale of Nyquist in Preakness

Live by his speed, die by his speed. That was the game plan trainer Doug O’Neill wanted to employ for his Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at sloppy Pimlico.

Exaggerator has a powerful late kick, but he moved to the leaders on his own, then turned on the jets down the lane and won by 3-1/2 lengths. Cherry Wine, 10th early in the 11-horse …

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