BALTIMORE — Early Voting held onto his early lead, claiming a nearly wire-to-wire victory in an election-year Preakness Stakes.

Early Voting, who lived up to his name by shooting out to a speedy lead in most races, lapped the 9.5 furlongs in a one-and-a-half length victory, bringing home the lion’s share of the $1.5 million purse for jockey Jose Ortiz and trainer Chad Brown.