| Surface: | Dirt |
| 131st Preakness Stakes | |
| Horse Race: | The Preakness Stakes |
| Location: | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Date: | May 20, 2006 |
| Winning Horse: | Bernardini |
| Winning Jockey: | Javier Castellano |
| Winning Trainer: | Thomas Albertrani |
| Conditions: | Fast |
| Previous: | 2005 |
| Next: | 2007 |
The 2006 Preakness Stakes was the 131st running of the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 20, 2006, and was televised in the United States on the NBC television network. Bernardini, who was jockeyed by Javier Castellano, won the race by five and one quarter lengths over runner-up Sweetnorthernsaint. Approximate post time was 6:19 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run over a fast track in a final time of 1:54.65.[1] The Maryland Jockey Club reported total attendance of 128,643, this is recorded as second highest on the list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 2006.[2]
The running of the race was marred when Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, broke down early in the race and sustained injuries on his right hind leg after a false start, ending his racing career.
The 131st Preakness Stakes Payout Schedule
| Program Number | Horse Name | Win | Place | Show | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Bernardini | $27.80 | $9.40 | $5.80 | |
| 7 | Sweetnorthernsaint | - | $7.80 | $5.00 | |
| 3 | Hemingway's Key | - | - | $8.00 |
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| Finish Position | Margin (lengths) | Post Position | Horse name | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Post Time Odds | Purse Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 8 | Bernardini | Javier Castellano | Thomas Albertrani | 12.90-1 | $600,000 | |
| 2nd | 5-1/4 | 7 | Sweetnorthernsaint | Kent Desormeaux | Michael Trombetta | Joseph Balsamo & Ted Theos | 8.40-1 | $200,000 |
| 3rd | 11-1/4 | 3 | Hemingway's Key | Jeremy Rose | Nicholas P. Zito | Kinsman Stable | 29.40-1 | $110,000 |
| 4th | 15-1/4 | 5 | Brother Derek | Alex Solis | Dan L. Hendricks | Cecil N. Peacock | 3.20-1 | $60,000 |
| 5th | 22-1/4 | 4 | Greeley's Galaxy | Richard Migliore | George Weaver | Donald Flanagan | 34.90-1 | $30,000 |
| 6th | 2 | Platinum Couple | Jose Espinoza | Joseph A. Lostritto | Team Tristar Stable | 33.20-1 | ||
| 7th | 1 | Like Now | Garrett Gomez | Kiaran McLaughlin | John J. Dillon | 17.40-1 | ||
| 8th | 28 | 9 | Diabolical | Ramon Dominguez | Steve Klesaris | Puglisi Stables | 26.00-1 | |
| 9th | dnf | 6 | Barbaro | Edgar Prado | Michael Matz | Lael Stables | 0.5-1 favorite | |