And they're off…

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

…in the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

Gayego, far left, jumped out to an early lead.

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Gayego maintained that lead going into the first turn.

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Around the first turn.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

Down the back side.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

As they approached the far turn it was Gayego and Riley Tucker sharing the lead the lead with Big Brown following closely in third.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

Coming around the final turn Big Brown was at the head of the pack.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

The final stretch run was when Big Brown finally seperated himself from the rest of the pack.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

The lead continued to grow.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

Jockey Kent Desormeaux began to wonder what happened to all the other contenders.

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Jockey Kent Desormeaux was relaxed before the race…

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

…and during the race.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Big Brown blew away the competition with a very impressive stretch run to easliy win the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Next stop, Belmont Park.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Big Brown and jockey Kent Desormeaux salute the crowd after the victory.

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Big Brown and his team after the big win.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

The celebration continues.

Photo: Jeffrey Snyder

Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow could not have been happier with the performance.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Jockey Kent Desormeaux won his second Preakness Stakes and will now head to Belmont Park for his second shot at the triple crown.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS

Most would say he is ready now, but after winning the 2008 Preakness Stakes, Big Brown will have three weeks to rest up for the final leg of the triple crown.

Photo: RICK SAMUELS