National Treasure wins Preakness, hours after other Bob Baffert horse euthanized

Bob Baffert's National Treasure won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday in Baltimore, ending Mage's Triple Crown bid in the trainer's return from a suspension — and just hours after another of his 3-year-old horses was euthanized on the track.

Baffert headed to the winner's circle on the same day that his colt Havnameltdown went down with a fatal left leg injury in an undercard race. Baffert said he and his team were in shock.

"Winning this," Baffert said, choking back tears after National Treasure's win, "losing that horse earlier really hurts. It's been a very emotional day."

Derby winner Mage finished third in the Preakness after going off as the 7-5 favourite. His defeat means there will not be a Triple Crown winner for a fifth consecutive year.

National Treasure, the 5-2 second choice, held off hard-charging Blazing Sevens down the stretch to win the 1 3/16-mile, $1.65 million US race by a head.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalTreasure?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalTreasure</a> wins <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Preakness148?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Preakness148</a>! Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/ljlmvel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ljlmvel</a> and connections! <a href="https://t.co/Mn5DLnlPl0">pic.twitter.com/Mn5DLnlPl0</a>

Jockey John Velazquez won the Preakness for the first time.

Baffert had a rollercoaster day in his return to Pimlico Race Course from a suspension that kept him from entering a horse in the Preakness last year. The thrill of victories by National Treasure in the Preakness and Arabian Lion in an earlier stakes race contrasted with the agony of Havnameltdown's death.

"It's sickening," Baffert said. "We are so careful with all these horses, and it