In a stretch duel for the ages, Swiss Skydiver held out Kentucky Derby winner Authentic to become the sixth filly to win the Preakness Stakes.
Authentic went to post the 3/2 favourite with Swiss Skydiver among the outsiders however, she was unaware of market expectation and after stand-in jockey Robby Albarado pushed Swiss Skydiver through a narrow gap before the home turn to hold the rail inside Authentic, the pair matched strides the length of the straight with the filly holding a neck advantage at the finish.
“I should probably retire today,” McPeek told the Blood Horse, “because I don’t think it can get higher than this. I really don’t.
“She’s beat so many odds. I’m beyond proud of her, proud of Robby, and everyone who’s handled her. It’s been a real team effort. I have some unbelievable people who work for me that help handle the details.”
McPeek said a race at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Keeneland on November 7 is next for the daughter of Daredevil however, he is unsure which one.
“I like the mile and a quarter of the Classic, but the Distaff, today, is probably the wiser move. But the farther she goes the better,” McPeek said. “We can sit on it. We won’t make a rash decision.”