Big Brown Wins at Preakness

Big Brown continued his assault on the Triple Crown today by winning the 133rd Preakness, running away from the rest of the 12-horse field at Pimlico Race Course. With the victory, the powerful bay colt becomes the 30th horse in thoroughbred history to head to the Belmont Stakes with the elusive Triple Crown in his sights. Only 11 have captured all three of horse racing's jewels—the last was Affirmed in 1978.

The most recent horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was Smarty Jones in 2004, but he faltered in the Belmont. Jockey Kent Desormeaux guided Big Brown to a winning time of 1:54.8. Macho Again, ridden by Julien Leparoux, placed second, and Icabad Crane, with Jeremy Rose aboard, finished third. Big Brown went off as a prohibitive 1-5 favorite and didn't disappoint his backers. He paid just $2.40 to win. (More horse racing stories.)