The 2023 Preakness Stakes witnessed an exhilarating display of talent and determination as National Treasure emerged victorious at the Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.
With odds of 4-1, National Treasure captivated the crowd with a wire-to-wire triumph, showcasing remarkable speed and strategy. Blazing Sevens secured an impressive second place, while Mage, the Kentucky Derby winner, claimed a respectable third position.
Right from the start, National Treasure dominated the race and took the lead, while Coffeewithchris kept a firm grip on the second spot for some time. Eventually, Blazing Sevens pulled ahead and pushed Mage into the third position.
With a thrilling shift of strategy, jockey Javier Castellano valiantly tried to recover the third position on Mage, yet it was too difficult a gap to overcome, as the first two horses dominated the field.
The final stretch of the race witnessed a fierce duel between National Treasure and Blazing Sevens, with Mage making a valiant late charge.
Bob Baffert has cemented his legacy in the sport by claiming eight unprecedented victories at the Preakness, extending his all-time total of 17 triumphs in Triple Crown races. Unfortunately, this momentous win was marred by an injury sustained to one of his horses in an earlier race, resulting in its unfortunate loss. While the accomplishment was bittersweet as one of Baffert’s horses suffered an injury during an undercard race earlier in the day.
As the racing world waits for the grand finale, the Belmont Stakes set to take place on June 10 at the prestigious Belmont Park in New York, anticipation and excitement reach unprecedented heights. With National Treasure’s awe-inspiring win at the Preakness still fresh in our minds, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown at the upcoming event. Mark your calendars and prepare to witness history in the making as the finest thoroughbreds compete for glory in the ultimate test of speed, skill, and determination.
