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National Treasure Wins 2023 Preakness Stakes
Velazquez Guides Baffert-Trained Colt to Victory
Hall of Fame Trainer Records Seventh Preakness Win
National Treasure captured the 2023 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday evening, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his seventh victory in the prestigious race. Jockey John Velazquez guided the colt to a narrow victory over Epicenter, with Creative Minister finishing third.
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes. National Treasure's win keeps Baffert in contention for a record-tying fourth Triple Crown sweep, having previously won in 2015, 2018, and 2020.
The race was run in front of a crowd of over 100,000 spectators, many of whom were eager to see Baffert return to the winner's circle after a turbulent year. Baffert was suspended for two years by Churchill Downs following a failed drug test by his Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, but a Kentucky court recently overturned the suspension.
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