American Pharoah wins Preakness Stakes to stay on course for Triple Crown

• Race run in stormy conditions
• American Pharoah one win from Triple Crown
  

The glowering thunderstorm let loose over Pimlico racetrack proved a suitably dramatic backdrop to American Pharoah’s victory under jockey Victor Espinoza in the 140^th running of the $1.5m Preakness Stakes, for the portents seem ominous that the Triple Crown hex that has lasted 37 years might finally be washed out to sea.

Bob Baffert’s 4-5 favorite won easily from trainer Dallas Stewart’s Tale of Verve, who rallied to second. Divining Rod finished third in the one-mile-and three-sixteenths race. Dortmund, Baffert’s second string, finished a tired fourth.

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from Sport | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1EQJjJg