National Treasure emerged as the victor at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, following the 2021 Kentucky Derby. This came after Medina Spirit, the Kentucky Derby winner, along with six other competitors, was disqualified due to a positive drug test from last year’s race. Baffert made his return to the racecourse on this eventful day.
In a thrilling stretch, Sevens Blazing narrowly held off Treasure National to earn a win, taking an early lead at 55:12 in the first half.
Starting from 2018, the horse trailed the frontrunners but subsequently lagged behind in the final phase, missing out on the opportunity to be the inaugural Triple Crown champion. Mage secured the third position.
ADDITIONAL: Complete roster of Triple Crown champions.
Following his complaint of leg discomfort, Jockey Luis Saez was thrown off the horse and transported to a nearby hospital. This incident occurred on the same day when his horse Havnameltdown had to be put down due to an injury in a preliminary race. Baffert, whose horses have achieved the last two Triple Crowns, attained his eighth Preakness triumph.
He has returned, and the race made one thing evident: Baffert was visibly sentimental following National Treasure’s bitter-sweet triumph, and although views on his contentious past performance are varied at most.
The triumph also indicated the initial Preakness victory for jockey John Velazquez, who possesses three Kentucky Derby triumphs to his credit.
MORE: The reason Bob Baffert was not permitted at the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
At Pimlico, explore the race’s highlights from Saturday as the Sporting News provided real-time updates and outcomes of the 2023 Preakness Stakes.
The horse order for the National Treasure 5-2 1 Odds race includes Sevens Blazing at 9-2 2, Mage at 7-5 3, One Route Red at 8-1 4, Chaos the Chase at 10-1 5, Perform at 8-1 6, and Coffeewithchriss at 10-1 7.
Live updates and noteworthy moments from the 2023 Preakness Stakes
(All times in the Eastern time zone).
What a remarkable victory for National Treasure! Furthermore, this year, there will not be a Triple Crown champion. During the final stretch, he narrowly fended off a rapidly approaching Blazing Sevens while distancing themselves from Mage. NATIONAL TREASURE EMERGES VICTORIOUS, at precisely 7:08 p.M.!
Watch back the full 148th running of the Preakness Stakes! #Preakness148 pic.twitter.com/AaPb4L3GFE
7:07 p.M. — Mage has advanced to third . . . Will there be another late push towards the front?
At 7:07 p.M., National Treasure is in the lead.
7:05 p.M. — The horses are boarding. Mage is entering the starting gate. Here we go!
7:02 p.M. — Nothing is timed flawlessly. The horses are still progressing. Once they’re inside, however, the action begins.
Just a few minutes out from the start of the race, we’re at 6:58 p.M., And seven horses will make their way over to the starting line. This will be the first time since the Kentucky Derby winner goes ahead and wins the Preakness.
6:53 p.M. — Odell Beckham Jr. Delivers the “Riders up” call, and plenty of other Ravens are on hand for the race.
Odell pulling up to the Preakness with the Ravens is so 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NL4qXMEi5F
6:47 p.M. — Mike Tirico is picking Red Route One, but Mage is the popular pick from the rest of the panel.
Taking into account his ownership structure and connections to Venezuela through trainer Gustavo Delgado, a Triple Crown victory by Mage would signify something significantly distinct. The previous two Triple Crown champions were under the ownership of Bob Baffert at 6:37 p.M.
Mage’s victory at the Kentucky Derby was not only a story of beating the odds, but also one of Venezuelan pride. 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/jSvI8BYTPl
At 6:14 p.M., Odell Beckham Jr., The recently acquired wide receiver for the Ravens, declared his intention to deliver the “Riders up” announcement before the Preakness.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. will be giving the “Riders up!” call at today’s Preakness. (via IG/obj) pic.twitter.com/C4I1FkanVH
5:42 p.M. — Steve Kornacki has returned to covering horse racing.
How well have Kentucky Derby winners performed in the Preakness Stakes?@SteveKornacki has the answer. pic.twitter.com/gncMOYmlxn
Despite some early concerns about rain, the main event in Baltimore starts now. It is partly cloudy and the temperature is 76 degrees. We’re less than 90 minutes away from the post time – 5:33 p.M.
At 5:20 p.M., Straight No Chaser confidently leads the Maryland Sprint race as the top choice.
Straight No Chaser (8/5) put on a show of dominance in the Maryland Sprint 🏆 Congrats to @MyRacehorse, @ljlmvel, @dan_blacker and all of the connections 👏 pic.twitter.com/T2Rw78iidS
4:56 p.M. — Cal Ripken Jr. Spotted at Pimlico!
.@CalRipkenJr is all smiles at the Preakness Stakes! pic.twitter.com/sOURiRBucm
At 4:43 p.M., The winner of the Jim McKay Turf Sprint, Beer Can Man (quite an impressive name), triumphantly emerges after a closely fought final stretch.
Beer Can Man just WOULD NOT QUIT! A fantastic finish at the Jim McKay Turf Sprint. #Preakness148 pic.twitter.com/J2LrvNQGBV
This week, First Mission decided to withdraw after their chances decreased, however, National Treasure (4-1) and Blazing Stevens (6-1) are not too far behind as Mage attempts to get closer to achieving the Triple Crown. At 4:23 p.M., Mage stands as the frontrunner with odds of 8-5.
The Kentucky Derby was marred by the unfortunate deaths of multiple horses, occurring just a fortnight after the Preakness. One disheartening incident that occurred before the Preakness was the mercy killing of Havenameltdown, a horse owned by Bob Baffert, due to an injury sustained during a preliminary race. Jockey Luis Saez was ejected from the horse and transported to a medical facility at 4:08 p.M. With a possible leg injury.
Mage, the victor of the Kentucky Derby and the preferred choice for the Preakness, encountered a slight moment of fright before the race, as disclosed by Ramiro Restrepo, one of the horse’s proprietors, on Saturday morning. The three-year-old steed endured a minor gash above one of its eyes on Thursday but has received permission to participate in the race at Pimlico. The race is slated to commence at 10:30 a.M.
Here’s a look at the small cut above the eye of MAGE. Per @RamiroRestrepo ” He received care & treatment by the State Vet and resumed training per usual with no interruptions. As per ALL Preakness starters, he was reviewed by the State Vets today and is ready to race.” pic.twitter.com/bUy3mIroKv
2023 Preakness Stakes start time
The post time for the 2023 Preakness Stakes is scheduled as 7:01 p.M. ET. The race, covering a distance of 1 3/16 miles, will take place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
The Preakness will be the 13th race on Pimlico’s Saturday race card. CNBC and NBC are carrying some of the early races.
