How have Kentucky Derby Runners-Up fared in the Preakness?

No horse that has been the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby has come back to win in the Preakness Stakes since Prairie Bayou in 1993. Twelve since then have tried, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. This is not to say it can’t be done. Plenty of good horses who finished further back than second in the Kentucky Derby have gone on to win the Preakness. In regards to the 2016 Preakness, trainer Keith Desormeaux has made it known that he is ready for a rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, trained by Doug O’Neill, and his horse Exaggerator. Exaggerator has finished behind unbeaten Nyquist four times, with his second place finish in the Kentucky Derby, being the closest he has ever gotten. Below are how previous Kentucky Derby runner-ups have fared in the Preakness since the turn of the century.

Firing Line (2015): Winner of the Sunland Derby last year, Firing Line surprised many people when he pulled ahead of Dortmund in last year’s Kentucky Derby to finish second to American Pharoah. Just before the Preakness ran, storms blew in and a heavy downpour came over the horses. Firing Line was not happy at all in the post parade and his ears were pinned flat against his head because of the weather. He went off as the second favorite, but the Line of David colt ran second-to-last in the field of eight. He has not raced since then and just had his first work back at Santa Anita May 10.

Bodemeister (2012): Zayat Stables’ colt was the favorite for both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but both times finished second to Reddam Racing’s I’ll Have Another. Because Bodemeister was pushed through such fast fractions in the Kentucky Derby by sprinter Trinniberg, he was forgiven come Preakness day and expected to win again. He grabbed the lead just like he did in the Derby, but his speed was not enough to hold off I’ll Have Another.

Pioneer of the Nile (2009): As if his loss to 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby wasn’t enough, the Empire Maker colt finished 11th in the Preakness when he was the second choice over Mine That Bird. Both horses were behind the race favorite and winner, Rachel Alexandra. Pioneer of the Nile had been bumped and raced wide in the Preakness, and his jockey eased him up before the end of the race.

Hard Spun (2007): Of the four times Hard Spun and Street Sense met on the racetrack, each beat the other horse twice. Hard Spun was second to Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby, with Curlin in third. In the Preakness, Curlin turned the tables and took the victory, with Street Sense and Hard Spun behind him. Hard Spun had a good career with seven wins in 13 starts, but none of the Triple Crown races went perfect for him, leaving them for another victor to take.

Closing Argument (2005): Giacomo won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 50-1, but Closing Argument was only a length and a half behind him in second with 72-1 odds, the longest on the board. Although Closing Argument made a great run in the Kentucky Derby, and two longshots were the stars that day, the Preakness was another story. Afleet Alex won by four and three-quarter lengths after clipping heels and nearly going down on the track, while Closing Argument ran ninth.

Lion Heart (2004): Lion Heart tried to wire the Kentucky Derby but could not hold off Smarty Jones. Smarty Jones went on to win the Preakness, as well, while Lion Heart again tried to lead the entire race. His front running efforts were less successful at Pimlico, where he tired and faded to fourth.

Proud Citizen (2002): War Emblem led all the way in the Kentucky Derby and Proud Citizen was right behind him the entire way, including at the finish line. During the Preakness, Proud Citizen tried to battle War Emblem in the final stretch, but he could not sustain the fight and fell back to third.

By Christine Oser