D. Wayne Lukas continued his successful training career at the age of 88, winning his seventh Preakness Stakes with Seize the Grey, who upset Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan to end his Triple Crown bid. Lukas, known for his competitive spirit, relished the victory and hinted at surpassing his friend Bob Baffert’s record of eight Preakness wins. Seize the Grey capitalized on the muddy track to secure an impressive wire-to-wire victory, with Mystik Dan finishing second in the field of eight horses. Despite falling short in the Preakness, trainer Kenny McPeek expressed pride in his colt and hinted at future races for the horse.
Seize the Grey’s victory was unexpected given the tougher competition in the Preakness compared to his previous race in the Pat Day Mile. However, with the Lukas connection, it should not come as a surprise when one of his horses emerges victorious. Lukas, with 48 Preakness starters since 1980, has a long history with the race, dating back to his debut win with Codex. This year, Seize the Grey, owned by the MyRacehorse group, delivered a thrilling victory, exceeding all expectations for the owners and fans. The success of Seize the Grey was celebrated with the horse paying $21.60 to win, after being one of the longest shots on the betting board.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who was aiming for a record-extending ninth Preakness win, saw his chances diminish when one of his horses, Muth, was scratched due to illness earlier in the week. Baffert’s other entry, Imagination, finished seventh in the race, leaving Mystik Dan as the favorite. Unfortunately, Mystik Dan and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. could not replicate their Derby success, finishing behind Seize the Grey in a three-way photo finish at the Preakness. Seize the Grey’s jockey, Jaime Torres, expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to ride the horse to victory in his first Triple Crown race.
The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course marked the end of an era for the historic track, which is set for demolition and reconstruction in the future. The 150th running of the Preakness will take place at Pimlico next year amidst ongoing construction. The changes in the racing landscape also include Belmont Park, where the Triple Crown’s final leg will be held at Saratoga for the first time. The race will be shortened to 1 1/4 miles due to the track’s configuration, with Sierra Leone expected to headline the field of contenders. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas indicated he would consider running Seize the Grey in the race, adding to the anticipation for future Triple Crown events.
