National Treasure Outgames Blazing Sevens In Preakness 148

[Wandering Eyes]

Sent off the 29-10 second choice in the wagering behind GI Kentucky Derby hero Mage (Good Magic), NATIONAL TREASURE (c, 3, Quality Road–Treasure, by Medaglia d'Oro) battled back inside of Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) with time ticking away in Saturday's GI Preakness S. and got home narrowly best to provide Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez with his first victory in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, while giving trainer Bob Baffert a measure of consolation with a record-setting eighth Preakness. Away alertly from the inside gate, National Treasure–blinkered for the first time–was guided away from the fence and set the pace in about the three path as Coffeewithchris (Ride on Curlin) prompted from second. Mage, who firmed into 7-5 at post time, was well spotted just behind the pace, though perhaps a bit handier than preferred. The $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate continued to enjoy a fairly soft time of it up front as the half-mile was up in just :48.92, and a few lengths farther back, Javier Castellano was checking the rear view to see if he had any right-hand traffic. There was none and Mage was able to shift out and around the pacesetters to be within striking range at the three-eighths if good enough. National Treasure was still going well after six panels in 1:13.49, but Blazing Sevens was turning up the pressure and the battle was joined in upper stretch. The latter possibly nosed in front deep inside the final furlong and mutual bumping looked to occur, but National Treasure would not lie down and prevailed in the finish. Mage had dead aim on the top two for the length of the stretch, but would have been inconvenienced by the lack of pace and could do no better than third. The victory was bittersweet at best for Baffert, whose Havnameltdown broke down and was euthanized in the GIII Chick Lang S. earlier in the afternoon. The final time for the mile and three-sixteenths was 1:55.12. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Masterson, Robert E., Stonestreet Stables LLC, Schoenfarber, Jay A., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert.

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