Racing fans had their eyes glued to their TV sets on May 18 to see if Orb could continue his quest towards the Triple Crown. And after a thrilling race, Oxbow took home the Preakness Stakes title!
The Preakness Stakes may not be as glamorous as the Kentucky Derby, but it is definitely just as exciting. This year’s race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland featured the heavily-favored Orb, who was looking to move one step closer to claiming the first Triple Crown title in 35 years. But it was not meant to be!
Oxbow: 2013 Preakness Stakes Winner
Rain had intermittently fallen all day — creating a mucky track similar to the one Orb won on at the Kentucky Derby. The nine-horse field — smaller than the Kentucky Derby’s — quickly bunched up for the 9.5-furlongs race as the horses jockeyed for position, but Oxbow notably got out ahead. In a huge upset, the favorite Orb couldn’t get anything going, and seemed stuck in place as the underdog horse Oxbow and his jockey Gary Stevens pulled ahead.
It was a huge upset win, with Oxbow taking the title as Orb finished 4th. It was an unbelievable run for Oxbow, who took the lead out of the gates and never gave it up.
Orb’s Quest For The Triple Crown Ends
Orb and his jockey Joel Rosario went into the Preakness Stakes with history on the brain. Only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown — a sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes — and the world has not seen a Triple Crown winner since 1978 in the horse Affirmed.
A bit of intrigue was added to the Preakness when Orb drew the rail position — the starting gate closest to the inside rail. It is widely known as the most difficult starting point to win a horse race, mostly because the other competing horses can squeeze the horse and force him to the back. Unless he’s a more powerful, faster specimen than the rest.
That obviously had an effect on the race, as Orb clearly got pinched into the pack and couldn’t find room to run forward.
What an exciting upset! What did you think, HollywoodLifers?
– Andrew Gruttadaro
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