2008 Preakness Stakes Results
Hopes for a 2008 Triple Crown winner soared on Saturday, May 17, 2008 when overwhelming 1-5 favorite Big Brown exploded away from his 11 rivals and won the 133rd Preakness Stakes in a time of 1:54.86. Long shot Macho Again was 5 1/4 lengths back in second, and Icabad Crane was a further half-length back in third. Racecar Rhapsody rounded out the top four finishers.
Preakness Stakes Race Results
| Finish Position | Horse Name | Gate Position | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Big Brown | 7 | Desormeaux KJ | Richard Dutrow Jr. |
| Place | Macho Again | 1 | Leparoux JR | Dallas Stewart |
| Show | Icabad Crane | 3 | Rose J | Graham Motion |
Preakness Stakes Payouts - Win / Place / Show
| Gate | Horse Name | Min | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Big Brown | $2 | $2.40 | $2.60 | $2.40 |
| 1 | Macho Again | $2 | $17.20 | $10.40 | |
| 3 | Icabad Crane | $2 | $5.60 |
Preakness Stakes Payouts - Exotic wagers
| Min | Bet | Results | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | Exacta | 7-1 | $18.30 |
| $1 | Trifecta | 7-1-3 | $168.40 |
| $1 | Superfecta | 7-1-3-6 | $1,192.30 |
| $1 | Daily Double | (7-7) | $5.20 |
| $1 | Pick-3 | (5-7-5/7) 3 Correct | $207.90 |
| $1 | Pick-4 | (3/7-5-7/7) 4 Correct | $591.10 |
Preakness Stakes Race Recap
Big Brown's performance in the 133rd Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 left veteran horsemen gasping for superlatives. The precocious bay colt with the unmistakable star on his forehead stamped himself as the overwhelming favorite to capture racing's illusive Triple Crown after cruising to a 5 1/4-length victory under Kent Desormeaux.
Big Brown is the fourth undefeated colt to emerge from the first two legs of the Triple Crown, joining 1969 winner Majestic Prince, Seattle Slew, who prevailed in 1977 and 2004 hero Smarty Jones. Only Seattle Slew was able to keep his streak alive through the Belmont Stakes and remains the only undefeated Triple Crown winner in history.
This year's Preakness winner was tested early when taken in hand behind pacesetters Gayego and Riley Tucker entering the first turn and then being squeezed by the latter as the field entered the backstretch. Desormeaux confidently eased his mount out of trouble and joined the leaders from the outside mid-way on the far turn. Entering the stretch, the rider asked for more and Big Brown answered with a breathtaking burst of speed that quickly separated him from his opposition.
Derby Trial Stakes winner Macho Again ran on well to be second, and his connections were pleased with the performance but would not confirm a rematch in next month's Belmont.
Third-place finisher Icabad Crane, who made up a ton of ground after being steadied on the far turn, finished just a half-length behind Macho Again. The New York-bred could benefit from the added distance of the Belmont.
Second favorite Gayego, who bumped with eighth-place finisher Giant Moon leaving the gate, came up empty after setting a pressured pace into the stretch and finished eleventh of twelve. The public's third choice Kentucky Bear stumbled at the start and ended up a well-beaten sixth.
Big Brown has arrived in New York after overwhelming North America's best three-year-olds in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. A Belmont Stakes victory over the undefeated Japanese invader Casino Drive would secure him a lofty place in sports history.