May 20, 2006
The 2006 renewal of the $1,000,000 Preakness (G1), the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown, was contested at Pimlico Race Course before a paid attendance of 118,402. Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was sent off as the overwhelming 1-2 favorite in the field of nine. Tragedy struck about a furlong into the race, when Barbaro injured his right hind leg and was pulled up by jockey Edgar Prado just past the finish while the rest of the field continued around the clubhouse turn. 13-1 shot Bernardini stalked the early pace of 17-1 shot Like Now through a half in 46.69, taking over the lead at top of the stretch and drawing away to win by 5 1/4 lengths over 8-1 shot Sweetnorthernsaint in a time of 1:54.65 for 1 3/16 miles on a fast track. 29-1 outsider Hemingway's Key was third and Brother Derek, who had to check when Barbaro broke down in front of him, was fourth. The win gave jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Tom Albertrani their first in a Triple Crown event.
