BALTIMORE, May 22: Afleet Alex survived a near-disastrous collision at the top of the stretch and easily captured the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. As Afleet Alex attempted to take over on the final turn, race leader Scrappy T abruptly swung to the outside and clipped heels with the bay son of Northern Afleet.

Afleet Alex nearly fell to his knees, almost sending jockey Jeremy Rose to the dirt but recovered in a big way, roaring to a 4 3/4-length triumph over Scrappy T.

Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo used a big move in the stretch to claim the third spot but was never a serious threat in the second jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

Giacomo stood in the 11th spot for much of the race and was fifth at the top of the stretch. But the gray colt was no match for the brilliant late-race sprint by Afleet Alex.

The winning time for the 1 3/16-mile race over a fast track was 1:55, well off the Preakness record of 1:53 2/5 set by Louis Quatorze in 1996 and Tank’s Prospect in 1985.

Rose, a Preakness rookie but a veteran on the Maryland circuit, said without the bumping incident Afleet Alex would have won even more easily.

Afleet Alex, the race favourite, paid $8.60, to a $2 stake, $5 and $3.20 for his victory. Scrappy T returned $11.20 and $5.80, while Giacomo paid $4.80.

Scrappy T abruptly veered to the right because jockey Ramon Dominguez used his whip with the left hand. Rose, a former wrestler, used all of his athletic ability to hang on, grabbing the mane of the horse.

Dominguez said he was “just happy” he and Rose stayed on their horses.

Afleet Alex finished third in the Kentucky Derby after being lured into a speedy pace. The pace of the Preakness suited trainer Tim Ritchey perfectly.—Reuters