Preakness

Trainer Michael McCarthy made his first start in a Triple Crown race a big one at Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Md., winning the 146th running of the Grade 1, $1-million Preakness Stakes with John and Diane Fradkin’s homebred Twirling Candy colt Rombauer. Ridden to perfection by Flavien Prat, Rombauer came from off the pace to win the Triple Crown’s middle jewel, racing past dueling leaders Midnight Bourbon and Medina Spirit in midstretch to win by about four lengths.

Midnight Bourbon held second, with Medina Spirit third, Keepmeinmind fourth and Crowded trade fifth in the field of 10 3-year-olds. Unbridled Honor, France Go de Ina, Risk Taking, Concert Tour and Ram completed the order of finish.

Rombauer paid $25.60 for the win, his third from seven career starts.

Michael McCarthy: So p roud of this horse. This goes to show you that small players in the game can be successful as well. That’s been him all along. I reached over my shoulder and said he’s a little bit closer but he’s traveling well. Coming to the quarter I started to get excited…at the eighth pole, I’ve said it before, it was like an out of body experience. Fantastic.

Everything we do sort of channels through what we did when I worked there (Pletcher)., Strange to believe I’ve won something he hasn’t. I’m sure that won’t last long but it means the world to me.

Wish my family was here.

This does feel different. Oh, what a feeling.