Big Brown continued his assault today on the Triple Crown by winning the 133rd Preakness Stakes, running away from the rest of the 12-horse field at Pimlico Race Course.

With the victory, the powerful bay colt becomes the 30th horse in thoroughbred history to head to the Belmont Stakes with the elusive Triple Crown in his sights. Only 11 have captured all three of horse racing’s jewels -- the last was Affirmed in 1978.

The most recent horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was Smarty Jones in 2004, but he faltered in the Belmont.

Jockey Kent Desormeaux guided Big Brown to a 5 ¼-length victory in 1:54.8.

Macho Again, ridden by Julien Leparoux, placed second and Icabad Crane, with Jeremy Rose aboard, finished third.

Trained by Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. and owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Poma Jr., Big Brown went off as a prohibitive 1-5 favorite and justified that wagering confidence. He paid just $2.40 to win.

Macho Again paid $17.20 to place and Icabad Crane, $5.60 to show.

Before today’s Preakness, the most common observation about the race was that it was Big Brown’s to lose. Big Brown, who takes his name from the UPS delivery services, had a short resume -- just four career starts -- but it was unblemished, four wins. His two big stakes race triumphs, the Kentucky Derby and the Florida Derby, were both by about five lengths.

In the Kentucky Derby, only the ill-fated filly Eight Belles, who finished second, could stay within hailing distance of Big Brown. Eight Belles never made it off the Churchill Downs track, suffering an injury after she crossed the finish line and being euthanized.

Only one starter from the Derby field even bothered to challenge Big Brown again in the Preakness, Gayego who finished 17th two weeks ago at Churchill.

Starting out of the No. 7 post position, Big Brown got on the rail early trailing pace-setter Gayego. He stayed there through the backstretch and on the far turn, went wide to get some running room. Once he had it, he kicked into a higher gear and pulled away from the rest of the field similar to his performance in the Derby.