National Treasure won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Park in Baltimore.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage finished third in the seven-horse field.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert claimed his 17th Triple Crown victory. It was the first Preakness win for Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
“This business is twists and turns, ups and downs,” said an emotional Baffert, who had to euthanize a horse from an undercard race earlier Saturday.
National Treasure finished the 1 3/16-mile race in 1 minute, 55.12 seconds. He paid $7.80, $4, and $2.60 across the board.
Runner-up Blazing Sevens battled National Treasure stride for stride down the stretch and to the wire. He paid $5 to place and $2.80 to show.
Mage, the pre-race favorite at 8/5, paid $2.40 to show.
The Belmont Stakes, the third jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown, is scheduled for June 10 in Elmont, N.Y., outside New York City.