Seize The Grey defied long odds on Saturday to capture the 149th Preakness Stakes, while veteran trainer D. Wayne Lukas became the oldest to prevail in the prestigious race.
Baltimore, Maryland – Seize The Grey, a 9-1 long shot, pulled off a stunning victory in the 149th Preakness Stakes, held at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.
Ridden by jockey Jaime Torres, Seize The Grey led wire-to-wire, holding off a late charge from Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. The triumph marked Seize The Grey's first Grade 1 victory and propelled him to the forefront of the Triple Crown contender pack.
D. Wayne Lukas, the legendary trainer of Seize The Grey, made history as the oldest trainer to win the Preakness Stakes. At 88 years of age, Lukas achieved his seventh victory in the race, just one shy of Bob Baffert's record.
Lukas has saddled more horses in the Preakness than any other trainer, with a total of 48 entries since his debut in 1980. In addition to Seize The Grey, he also had Just Steel in the race, who finished fifth.
Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby winner, entered the Preakness as the favorite but fell short in his bid to capture the Triple Crown. The colt rallied late but couldn't catch Seize The Grey, finishing second in the field of eight horses.
Despite his Preakness defeat, Mystik Dan remains a contender for the Belmont Stakes. The final leg of the Triple Crown will be held at Saratoga Race Course on June 8.
Muth, trained by Baffert, was initially favored to win the Preakness but was scratched earlier in the week due to a fever. Baffert, who is suspended from entering horses in the Kentucky Derby, was present at Pimlico but unable to participate in the race.
National Treasure, Baffert's horse, won the Preakness last year. Baffert is expected to return to Churchill Downs for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg, will be run at Saratoga Race Course on June 8.
Seize The Grey, Mystik Dan, and potentially other contenders from the Preakness will face off again in the Belmont Stakes, determining who will take home the coveted Triple Crown title.
