Bob Baffert’s National Treasure wins Preakness as embattled trainer wins his 17th Triple Crown race after PETA called for his suspension over Havnameltdown’s death earlier today
- Bob Baffert’s National Treasure won Saturday’s Preakness on a tumultuous day
- Havnameltdown was euthanized after snapping his left front leg at Preakness
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Bob Baffert’s National Treasure won Saturday’s Preakness to give the embattled trainer his 17th win in the Triple Crown race.
Baffert went into the winner’s circle the same day his colt, Havnameltdown, went down with a fatal left leg injury in an undercard race. Baffert said he and his team were in shock.
It was another dark moment for a sport already reeling from the deaths of seven horses at Churchill Downs in a 10-day period leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Derby winner Mage finished third in the Preakness. His defeat means there will be no Triple Crown winner for the fifth consecutive year.
Earlier in the day, Mage suffered a cut near his eye after hitting his head in his stall. Mage ended up needing stitches, but still managed to make the start.
ational Treasure, right, with jockey John Velazquez, just outside Blazing Sevens
Bob Baffert’s National Treasure won the Preakness, giving him 17 Triple Crown wins
Jockey John Velazquez #1 riding National Treasure crosses the finish line to win the Preakness
Earlier on Saturday, PETA criticized Baffert, claiming that “75 horses have died in his care” following news that yet another of his horses was euthanized at the track during Saturday’s Preakness undercard.
Kathy Guillermo – senior vice president of the animal rights advocacy group – lashed out at the organizers of the Triple Crown race for allowing Baffert access to the track.
The latest controversy surrounding the 75-year-old comes barely two months after a federal judge rejected Baffert’s request to have his two-year suspension lifted by Kentucky Derby coordinators, which the Hall of Fame trainer described as a “cancellation culture.” rejected. ‘ in 2021.
“Pimlico should have followed Churchill Downs’ example and kept Bob Baffert off the track,” Guillermo told DailyMail.com exclusively. Baffert has been implicated in drug scandals, the deaths of seven horses that collapsed in California, and at least 75 horses he tended to have died.
Havnameltdown’s tragic death is the latest in a long line of fatalities. The racing industry needs to kick out the bad guys or it will have blood on its hands as well as blood on its tracks.”
Havnameltdown’s death comes weeks after the Kentucky Derby was overshadowed by eight fatalities over a 10-day period leading up to the May 6 race.