1989 Preakness Stakes top attended events for North America in 1989. Jim McKay of ABC Sports labeled it "the best race that I have ever witnessed" during the 1995 Preakness telecast. The stretch duel of the race itself was featured on ABC's "Wide World of Sports prelude claiming to be the ""thrill of victory"" for 12 years. It preceded the more memorable line ""and the agony of defeat"". The 114th Preakness Stakes Payout Schedule $2 Exacta: (8–2) paid $10.40 $2 Trifecta: (8-2–5) paid $66.00 1989 Preakness Stakes The 1989 Preakness Stakes was the 114th running of the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The
1973 Belmont Stakes meant he completed the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. This was significant as he was the ninth horse to complete the feat and broke a 25-year drought where a horse failed to complete the achievement. Secretariat, Sham, Pvt. Smiles, and My Gallant were the first four horses to be entered into the Belmont Stakes. Secretariat, winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, was the odds on favorite to win the event. The added distance of the Belmont when compared to the Derby and Preakness was found to be one potential reason for Secretariat to lose the race.