National Treasure outduels Blazing Sevens to win the 2023 Preakness Stakes

National Treasure sped out of the gate with John Velasquez in the irons, and held off a hard-charging Blazing Sevens down the final stretch to capture the 148th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

He set off from the No. 1 spot in the gate with 5/2 odds and paid $7.80 to win, $4.00 to place and $2.60 to show.

Blazing Sevens was challenging National Treasure down the stretch, but took second place. He paid $5.00 to place and $2.80 to show. Kentucky Derby champion and third-place finisher Mage paid out $2.40 to show.

In his return to the Preakness, trainer Bob Baffert wins his record eighth Triple Crown race and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez completes the career Triple Crown with his first Preakness win in 13 attempts.

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BALTIMORE — Preakness favorite Mage is good to go for the second race of the Triple Crown after bumping his head in his stall and getting a few stitches to close a cut above his right eye.

Co-owner and blood stock agent Ramiro Restrepo said the Kentucky Derby winner bumped his head, causing a superficial cut and receiving treatment from state veterinarians. Restrepo confirmed in a text message to The Associated Press that Mage resumed training without any interruption.

Vets examined and cleared Mage and the six other Preakness horses to run in the $1.65 million race. Increased prerace screening is in place in Maryland, including inspection of each horse in a the biggest stakes races by Stronach Group chief veterinary officer Dr. Dionne Benson.

First Mission, one of the other top Preakness contenders, was scratched on the advice of veterinarians who expressed concern about his left hind