Velazquez scores first Preakness aboard National Treasure in 13th try

May 21, 2023 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Preakness (G1) number 13 ironically turned out to be the lucky one for Hall
of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who secured his first win in the middle jewel of
racing's Triple Crown on Saturday by guiding National Treasure to a head
victory over Blazing Sevens after a thrilling stretch duel down the Pimlico
stretch in the $1.65 million fixture.

Despite having ridden three
Kentucky
Derby (G1) winners in past editions of the Preakness, it was the one classic
which until Saturday had eluded the 51-year-old native of Puerto Rico. He had
finished second in three of his previous 12 Preakness tries, including a
heartbreaking loss to the filly Swiss Skydiver aboard Derby winner Authentic in
the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition. Velazquez had even been unceremoniously
dumped by another mount, Bodexpress, shortly after the start of the 2019
renewal.

Everything, however, clicked with National Treasure, the 2.90-1 second choice
in a field of seven. Sent to the lead by Velazquez from post 1, National
Treasure was allowed to set a modest pace while being chased by Coffeewithchris,
Blazing Sevens, and Kentucky Derby winner Mage, the 7-5 favorite. The opening
quarter-mile was accomplished in :23.95, a half-mile in :48.92, and six furlongs
in 1:13.49.

'Looking at the pace, I didn't think we were going to go any faster than
that, though I was hoping anyway,' Velazquez said.

Entering the far turn, Blazing Sevens made a bid to challenge National
Treasure, with Mage following that rival. However, Mage was ultimately unable to
turn in a significant challenge down the stretch, undoubtedly due to the slow
early pace.

The stretch run was nonetheless a barn burner. Brushing with each other
several times, National Treasure and Blazing Sevens duked it out for the final
three-sixteenths of a mile. National Treasure found more at the needed time,
though, tenaciously regaining an edge in the final yards to win in a time of
1:55.12 for 1 3/16 miles over a fast track. Owned by a partnership that includes SF
Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Bob Masterson, and Stonestreet,
National Treasure paid $7.80.

National Treasure was the record eighth
Preakness winner
trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who for five years had shared the record
for most wins in the race by a trainer with 19th century horseman R. Wyndham
Walden.

Following National Treasure and Blazing Sevens under the wire were Mage (the
only Kentucky Derby starter entered back in the Preakness), Red Route One, Chase
the Chaos, Perform, and Coffeewithchris. First Mission, the second choice on the
morning line, was scratched Friday due to an injury.

The Preakness was the first stakes win for National Treasure and his first in
any race since his debut last September at Del Mar. He was subsequently second
behind stablemate Cave Rock in the American Pharoah (G1) and third to division
champion Forte in the Breeders'
Cup Juvenile (G1) to close out his two-year-old campaign.

Third in the Sham (G3) in his season debut, National Treasure missed an
intended start in the San Felipe (G2) due to a sore foot, and then failed to earn
enough qualifying points to make the Kentucky Derby field when finishing fourth
in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his most recent start. National Treasure has
now bankrolled $1.335 million.

Bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum and sold for $500,000 as a Fasig-Tipton
Saratoga yearling, National Treasure is by Quality Road and out of Treasure, by
Medaglia d'Oro.