Flashy Bull (inside) scored by a head on a day characterized by close finishes (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

West Point Thoroughbreds' FLASHY BULL (Holy Bull) gained a slight advantage turning for home and repelled a strong challenge from even-money choice Hesanoldsalt (Broad Brush) throughout the stretch to earn a victory in the $100,000 William Donald Schaefer H. (G3) in the race preceding the Preakness S. (G1). Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia, the peaking four-year-old was always prominent in here, stalking in second early before putting in his courageous stretch run on the inside. The final time for nine furlongs on the fast main track was 1:47 4/5, and the gray gave back $8.40, $3.60 and $3 as the 3-1 second choice.

Hesanoldsalt was always in good striking range and did everything right but win the bob, falling a head short on the wire. The runner-up paid $2.80 and $2.20 while completing the $20.40 exacta. Ryan's For Real (Sword Dance [Ire]) was rank early, swung wide into the lane but could not match strides with the top pair, settling for the third spot at 6-1 another five lengths back. Show paid $3.40, and the trifecta gave back $79.40. Early leader Take the Bluff (Pine Bluff) tired to fourth and was followed by Belongs to Joe (Belong to Me), Two Sixty Four (Dance Brightly), Sunriver (Saint Ballado) and Urban Conquest (Victory Gallop). Smelling Salts (Two Punch) was withdrawn.