Tragedy and triumph. Triumph after tragedy. The 2023 Triple Crown and horse racing itself can’t avoid calamity.
After a ruthless period that saw seven horses die at Churchill Downs — including two on the card for the Kentucky Derby — the 2023 Preakness card was marred, too.
The second leg of the Triple Crown — contested over 1 3/16 miles at Maryland’s Pimlico Race Course — was won by National Treasure
National Treasure, the 5-2 second choice, broke quickly and took a two-length lead through the first quarter.
Mage sat fourth, four lengths off the lead entering the backstretch.
The pace was pedestrian, :48.92 for the half-mile. That wound up being a determining factor in the race.
National Treasure cruised through three-quarters when Blazing Sevens made his move to the leader.
Mage tried to pick up the top pair but was unable to gain serious ground.
National Treasure and Blazing Sevens engaged in a stirring stretch duel with jockey John Velazquez urging his charge to the wire.
“This business is twists and turns, ups and downs,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “… I am happy for Johnny, he got his win.
“I love Pimlico, I love Baltimore, I love these horses,” Baffert said after his record 8th Preakness victory.
It was the first win for Velazquez in 13 tries at the Preakness.
Chad Brown, trainer of Blazing Sevens, had been seeking his third Preakness but had to settle for second.
The parimutuel results:
The payouts for the 2023 Preakness Stakes! pic.twitter.com/3X9u1Puh58
— TVG (@TVG) May 20, 2023
🏆Preakness Stakes (G1)
1.900 m – 1.500.000 USD – for 3yo
🇺🇸 PimlicoNational Treasure(USA )
(3C Quality Road -Treasure ,by Medaglia D’Oro)
J:John R. Velazquez
T:Bob Baffert
O:SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables pic.twitter.com/nUJnA6gaOp— 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 (@WorldRacing1) May 20, 2023
Earlier on the card, in the Chick Lang Stakes, Havnameltdown, trained by Baffert broke down during the running of the race. He suffered a catastrophic left ankle injury and had to be euthanized on the racetrack.
HAVNAMELTDOWN at Pimlico this morning getting ready to get his bath.
The 3-year-old son of Uncaptured will be running in the Chick Lang Stakes tomorrow and is the 8/5 ML.
Luis Saez will be in the irons for Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/W9CaCsm6xR
— TVG (@TVG) May 19, 2023
.@ScottFDTV speaks with veterinarian Dr. Scott Hay following the Chick Lang Stakes.
Our sincere condolences to the connections of Havnameltdown. pic.twitter.com/1J9jImVLY2
— TVG (@TVG) May 20, 2023
Baffert released a statement following the tragic loss of Havnameltdown.
We are just devastated. This is a shock to everyone at our barn who love and care for these horses every day. Hanvameltdown was obviously hit pretty hard coming out of the gate. We don’t know if that contributed to the injury, but we will be fully transparent with those…
— Bob Baffert (@BobBaffert) May 20, 2023
The Belmont Stakes will take place in three weeks in Elmont, New York. There will be no attempt at the Triple Crown for another year.
Baffert said he wanted to see how National Treasure bounces back from the Preakness before committing him to the 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont over Big Sandy.
The Drone Cam of the 2023 Preakness Stakes showing the battle between National Treasure and Blazing Sevens. pic.twitter.com/yIVZi8y7LZ
— TVG (@TVG) May 20, 2023
