War Emblem takes Preakness

War Emblem made his move on the back stretch

Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem won the 127th Preakness Stakes to remain on course to claim the US Triple Crown.

The three-year-old colt could become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 if he wins the Belmont Stakes on 8 June in New York.

Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Prince Ahmed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, he held off Magic Weisner to win by three-quarters of a length.

Proud Citizen was third in the 13-horse field at Pimlico Race Course.

 War Emblem wins Kentucky Derby

Baffert has trained four of the past six Preakness winners, but he has yet to collect the $5m bonus for a Triple Crown winner.

"Experience is going to help," Baffert said.

"We've gone through this. The thing is to keep this horse healthy and fresh. It's going to be fun. The pressure is on."

War Emblem answered critics who said that his pillar-to-post Kentucky Derby victory two weeks ago had been a fluke.

War Emblem pulled ahead on the back stretch and came around the final turn with Proud Citizen second.

He had to hold off a late charge by outsider Magic Weisner to become the first Kentucky Derby winner to win as a favourite since Alysheba in 1987.