BALTIMORE — Bob Baffert choked back tears and his voice cracked while he tried to juggle the conflicting feelings of seeing one of his horses win the Preakness Stakes hours after another was euthanized on the same track.
National Treasure, right, with jockey John Velazquez, edges out Blazing Sevens, with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., to win the148th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
National Treasure won the Preakness on Saturday in Baffert's return to the Triple Crown trail following a suspension, ending Kentucky Derby champion Mage's Triple Crown bid in the race Baffert has now captured more than any other trainer. But the joy was tempered by the agony of another 3-year-old colt, Havnameltdown, injuring his left front leg in an undercard race and being put down.
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Photos: Scenes from the 2023 Kentucky Derby
Garey Faulkner from Cincinnati, Ohio walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Virginia Kutsop from East Bronswick, N.J. poses for a picture as she waits before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A race fan look at list before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A person walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Cups of Mint Julep are prepared for a vender before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
People walk on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A person walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Darcy Locke from Louisville takes a picture as she waits before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Javier Castellano celebrates in the winner's circle after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Javier Castellano, atop Mage, reacts in the winner's circle after winning the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Javier Castellano, atop Mage, reacts in the winner's circle after winning the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Javier Castellano, atop Mage, reacts in the winner's circle after winning the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Horses leave the starting gate during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Horses leave the starting gate during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Javier Castellano celebrates in the winner's circle after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Javier Castellano celebrates in the winner's circle after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Javier Castellano celebrates in the winner's circle after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Horses round the fourth turn during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Javier Castellano, right, celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Javier Castellano, center left, rides Mage on his way to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Horses come through the first turn during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Javier Castellano celebrates in the winner's circle after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bobby Daley from Buffalo, N.Y. waits in the infield for the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
People react as they watch a race before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
People wait before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
People wait before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A race fan waits before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Jockey Corey Lanerie smiles after finishing a horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Here Mi Song is taken by an equine ambulance after the 10th horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Mage (8), with Javier Castellano aboard, wins the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A person walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
People watch races in the infield as they wait for the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
People walk on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
People arrive in the infield before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
People walk on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A race fan walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race, Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Jessica Siegel walks on the ground of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A person walks on the grounds of Churchill Downs before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
