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
2005 Belmont Stakes 2005 Belmont Stakes The 2005 Belmont Stakes was the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes. The race, known as the "test of the champion" and sometimes called the "final jewel" in thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown series. It was held on June 11, 2005, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. In 2005, the Kentucky Derby was won by long-shot Giacomo while the Preakness Stakes was won by Afleet Alex. Therefore, there was no Triple Crown at stake, which caused a sharp decline in attendance from the year before when Smarty Jones was attempting