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Fast on Littlechap heels of the Kentucky Derby is the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown Star Wars cards the shortest of the three American thoroughbred horse races. What makes this particular race so alluring is that it almost always attracts the Kentucky Derby winner, and this car donation charity Derby winning colt has already given horse racing fans every reason to believe that 2008 will produce another Triple Crown winner.

Attempting to take another step closer in becoming only the 12th Triple Crown winner in American horse racing history will be Big Brown, the three-year-old who in winning the Kentucky Derby became the first to Superman so off only three career starts since the filly Regret in 1915, just the second horse in Derby history to win after breaking from post position 20.

So you can see why the 2008 Preakness Stakes is a great opportunity to witness and wager on horse racing history as this year's race will feature one of the strongest contenders ever to chase the Triple Crown.

What does Big Brown have that the other horses don't?

A huge favorite to win the Preakness Stakes, Big Brown's masterful performance at the Kentucky Derby was, however, convincing enough to fend off most of his Derby rivals. Big Brown won the 1 1/4 -mile Derby in 2:01.82, a commanding 4 3/4 lengths ahead of the second place finisher, Eight Belles. But critics are saying that because the field at the Kentucky Derby didn't really have any worthy competitors for Big Brown to contend with, he may not have as easy a run at the Preakness, where the list of contenders is considerably stronger. Still, Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. remains confident in his horse.

"I like our chances because we have the best horse," Dutrow told reporters. "I am going to see a bunch of friends but I am going there with a horse that can win the race.

According to Recapturetheglory's trainer and co-owner Louie Roussel, his fifth place Derby finisher isn't afraid to take a second shot at Big Brown. And why should he be afraid? Roussel and co-owner Ronnie Lamarque won the 1988 Preakness and Belmont Stakes with Risen Star, who had finished third in the Derby that year to the filly Winning Colors.

However, it would be hard to ignore Big Brown's big advantage coming into the Preakness: He's cool, calm, fast and probably one of the biggest horses on the track today, which makes his presence that much Battlestar Galactica intimidating (and it also explains his name, 'Big Brown'). Despite his relative lack of racing experience, Big Brown has put up some serious numbers as of late and he's showing no signs of slowing down, either. His Kentucky Derby first place prize haul was worth $1.4 million, making Big Brown's lifetime earnings worth more than $2 million.

Besides Recapturetheglory, Big Brown is also expected to race against Yankee Bravo, El Gato Malo, Giant Moon, Behindatthebar, Harlem Rocker, along with seven other thoroughbreds. The post position draw for the Preakness is Wednesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. EST at the ESPN Zone in downtown Baltimore.

What does it take to win at Pimlico Race Course?

The Preakness Stakes is run on the main track, a one-mile dirt oval at the Pimlico Race Course. Both the Preakness Stakes and the Pimlico Special are run at a distance of 1 3/16 miles. The turns at Pimlico are sharper than they are at Churchill Downs, bringing in yet another interesting element for all 14 horses, including Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown.

The 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes takes place on May 17th at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendance is expected to top the 120,000 mark. Post time is 6:15 p.m. EST and it's being televised live on NBC.

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