BALTIMORE -- Trainer Todd Pletcher was searching for answers after his Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming, dropped back around the far turn and faded to eighth in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico assuring that there will not be a Triple Crown on the line in three weeks at the Belmont Stakes in New York.
Always Dreaming was pressured early by Classic Empire in the Preakness, but while Classic Empire continued on into deep stretch before getting run down late by Cloud Computing, Always Dreaming faded. He was beaten 13 1/2 lengths.
It was the worst finish by a Derby winner in the Preakness since Super Saver finished eighth, beaten 11 1/2 lengths in 2010.