Baffert’s National Treasure wins Preakness as another death mars day
by Bryan Armen Graham at Pimlico Race Course from US news | The Guardian on (#6BTNQ)
- National Treasure outduels Blazing Sevens in $1.65m race
- Havnameltdown euthanized and jockey injured on undercard
- Famed trainer back in spotlight after serving two-year ban
Bob Baffert's National Treasure held off Blazing Sevens in a heart-pounding stretch duel to win the Preakness Stakes by a head on Saturday, only hours after the decorated trainer's return to the Triple Crown stage after a two-year suspension was marred when one of his horses was euthanized on the track.
He fought the whole way," said John Velazquez, the Hall of Fame jockey who finally broke his Preakness hoodoo after failing to win in his first 12 attempts. He put up a really good fight. ... That's what champions do."
Continue reading...