BALTIMORE, Maryland, 21 May — Point Given restored his reputation on Saturday with a comprehensive victory in the 126th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Owned by Prince Ahmad ibn Salman, Point Given covered the 13.16-mile race in 1:55 25 seconds.
The impressive colt pulled away from the field down the stretch and ensured that the US Triple Crown will not be won this year.
Point Given, under jockey Gary Stevens, finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of the rallying A P Valentine, and another neck ahead of stablemate Congaree in third. Dollar Bill was another 1 1/4 lengths back in fourth. Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos trailed the field early and never threatened, finishing sixth behind Griffinite.
With this outstanding victory, Prince Ahmad ibn Salman became the first Arab owner to win the classic race. The Preakness Stakes was witnessed by more than 200,000 spectators and about 500 million television viewers world over.
Prince Ahmad, who watched the race live from Riyadh, received congratulations from friends and well-wishers on the big win. This victory added a new page to his series of classic victories in the past. American television commentators said that Prince Ahmad is considered the first owner in history of horse racing to have gained such victories.
Prince Ahmad had previously won the English Derby and received the Breeders Cup (held in the US) three times.
His Royal Anthem won the Canada Cup. He has also won premier races in France, Ireland and Argentina in addition to the King Faisal Cup, King Fahd Cup and Crown Prince Cup.
Point Given broke eagerly from the outside at the start of the race and established good early position in sight of the pacesetters Richly Blended, Congaree and Mr. John.
Richly Blended took the field through a quarter mile in 0:23 4/5 seconds and six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 before Congaree wrested the lead from him around the far turn.
Meanwhile, Point Given made an explosive five-wide move from the half-mile pole to sweep past the leaders and engage his stablemate for the lead at the start of the home stretch.
Point Given gradually extended his margin through the stretch, covering the course of the $2 million Preakness in 1:55 2/5.
Stevens, who won the Preakness aboard Silver Charm in 1997, said that the victory erased the disappointment of Point Given’s fifth-place finish as Kentucky Derby favorite.
“The real Point Given showed up today,” said Stevens. “He put a good field away. He did it easily and all of America knows what a great racehorse he is now.”
Stevens says it didn’t take him long to realize Point Given’s Preakness run was going to be a lot different than his disappointing effort in the Kentucky Derby.
“I knew going into the first turn the race was over,” said Stevens.
“Congaree’s a very, very good horse, and the moves he (Point Given) made around the turn to get up next to Congaree, he did it with no effort at all,” said Stevens.
“I didn’t want to push the button until I had to,” he added.
“I don’t think he’s a horse that you need to pound on a lot. You can reach back and tap him a couple of times to get his attention. But he’s a racehorse and all he needs is a little peeling (tap) here and there and he goes on about his business.”
Point Given’s triumph ended the Triple Crown hopes of Derby winner Monarchos, who finished sixth and was never in contention. He made a mild run while running six wide along the back-stretch but lacked any closing speed.
