Curlin sees off Sense

Curlin ended the American Triple Crown hopes of Street Sense as he battled to a thrilling victory in the 132nd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Kentucky Derby hero Street Sense looked all over the winner as he cut through the pack turning for home and took over in front from Hard Spun.

But Robby Albarado got a real tune out of Churchill Downs third Curlin and put his head in front right in the shadow of the post.

Just as in the Derby, Calvin Borel held Carl Nafzger's Street Sense up towards the back of the field in the early stages before starting his extravagant move.

All was seemingly set fair for another famous success but the Steve Asmussen-trained Curlin, having just the fifth start of his life, stayed on relentlessly to deny him the chance of emulating the 1978 efforts of Affirmed, the last horse to claim all three legs of the Triple Crown which concludes with the Belmont next month.

Hard Spun, runner-up in the Derby, was forced to settle for third this time.

Albarado told NBC: 'Curlin didn't negotiate the sharp turns here too well. Street Sense was running easily turning for home but Curlin dug in. He's a very talented horse. Curlin flew right by me but I knew I had some reserves left in the tank.

'I thought I had got up and I think Calvin knew it also. The Derby was a tremendous help to him. It felt like I had a different horse. He did everything I asked.

'He's a great horse. Steve has done a great job with him and I appreciate connections sticking with me.'

A downcast Borel said after going down by a head: 'I had a good trip. No excuses, none whatsoever, just when he made the lead and saw the crowd he started pulling up on me a little bit in the last 40 yards.

'But I can't take anything away from the winner - I went past him and thought I was home free but he came back and got me.'