Preakness 2016: Live Results, Updates and Reaction

It’s nearly Preakness Stakes time for the zirconia middle jewel of racing’s famed Triple Crown.

The story revolves around Nyquist, the unbeaten colt who sizzled in the Kentucky Derby and inspires the type of awe that few ever achieve.

Trainer Doug O'Neill said in Dick Jerardi’s Philly.com story:

"

We've been blessed with a lot of good horses, but he's by far the best horse we've ever had. He's got a lot of energy and you see it in the afternoon when he competes. But he conserves his energy in the paddock and around the barn area. He sleeps a lot in his stall. He's got the perfect combination for a top racehorse.

"

Story thread No. 2 for the Preakness is the weather, namely the rain.

As a result, the track has been muddy and sealed, and at around noon ET on Saturday, money was flying off Nyquist (!) and onto Exaggerator and Stradivari—someone at Laurel Park even bet $80,000 on the latter, per the Courier-Journal.

Man, if I only had 3Gs!

But, as of 4 p.m. ET, things have been balancing out with more money going toward Nyquist. Order restored.

Keep it locked right here for before, during and after the Preakness Stakes to see if we’re heading to Belmont in three weeks with another Triple Crown hopeful.