Charismatic proved his Kentucky Derby win to be no fluke with a length and half victory over Menifee in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday.
The win places the D Wayne Lukas colt on course to become the 12th Triple Crown winner if the former claimer can win the Belmont Stakes next month.
Godolphin's American dream came badly unstuck when Worldly Manner was last of the 12 finishers in front of a a record 101,300. The colt was well supported to improve on his Kentucky Derby seventh, and It looked promising when Jerry Bailey moved him into fourth down the backstretch, only for the first distress signals to be sent out three out.
The race subsequently degenerated into a nightmare for Worldly Manner.
It was a weekend of ups-and-downs for Godolphin, with Fly To The Stars' win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and Daragh O`Donohoe's victory on Central Park in Rome yesterday the highlights.
Preakness Stakes (Gr 1) £391,566 pounds. 1m, 1f & 110 yds. (dirt). Charismatic, ch c Summer Squall - Bali Babe (R & B Lewis) 9-0 C Antley 1; Menifee, 9-0 P Day 2; Badge, 9-0 M Luzzi 3. Also: Stephen Got Even (4th), Patience Game (5th), Adonis (6th), Cat Thief (7th), Kimberlite Pipe (8th), Valhol (9th), Vicar (10th), Torrid Sand (11th), Worldly Manner (9-0 J Bailey 12th), Excellent Meeting. Non-runner: Silvebulletday. 13 ran. (D Wayne Lukas). 1m 55.32s. 11/2l, hd, 21/2l 3l, 1/2l 33/4l, 3/4l 81/4l. Pari-Mutuel (inc $2 stake): Win 18.80; places (1 & 2) 7.60, 3.60. Show (1, 2 & 3) 5.80, 3.20, 18.80.
Disaster was narrowly averted at Pimlico when a spectator ran on to the course during the seventh race in an apparent suicide attempt. Fortunately all the horses avoided the man as he stood on the track while the field galloped round him.
But 4 to 5 favourite Artax had to be pulled up by his jockey and money bet on him was refunded.
The 22-year-old man was arrested and detained for psychiatric evaluation.