Prevalence second in G3 Maryland Sprint

Prevalence signalled a return to form in first-time blinkers as he filled the runner-up spot in the G3 Maryland Sprint on the Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico, USA, on Saturday, 20 May.

The Brendan Walsh-trained five-year-old, without a win since a dominant display in the G3 Commonwealth Stakes last April, was rousted leaving the stalls to race in a close second on the inside of Straight No Chaser.

Prevalence angled out and attempted to close on the leader turning in but could not get on terms with Straight No Chaser, who quickened away from the field in the straight for a convincing victory.

Irad Ortiz Jr kept Prevalence up to his work and the Medaglia d’Oro entire had enough in reserve to hold off a fast-finishing Nakatomi in a photo for second.

Brendan Walsh said: “Prevalence ran great and we are delighted with him. He can be a little in and out and sometimes frustrating. We put the blinkers on today, shortened him up a little from what he had been running over and it seemed to work. We ran into an absolute freak that won. My horse is a fast horse, and he just ran him off his feet.”