Bob Baffert’s national treasure wins Preakness as beleaguered trainer takes his 17th Triple Crown race after PETA sought his ban over Havnameltdown death earlier today
- Bob Baffert’s national treasure won Saturday’s Preakness on a tumultuous day
- Havnameltdown was euthanized after bending over his left front leg at Preakness
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
National treasure Bob Baffert won Saturday’s Preakness, giving the beleaguered coach his 17th victory in the Triple Crown race.
Baffert headed to the winner’s circle the same day his colt, Havnameltdown, fatally injured his left leg in an undercard run. 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 10 days before the Kentucky Derby.
Derby winner Mage finished third in the Preakness. His loss means there will be no Triple Crown winner for a fifth consecutive year.
Earlier today, Mage suffered a cut near his eye after hitting his head in his stall. Mage eventually needed stitches, but still made it to the start.
National Treasure, right, with jockey John Velazquez leads Blazing Sevens
National treasure Bob Baffert 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 Saturday, PETA slammed Baffert, saying “75 horses in his care are dead” following news of another of his horses being euthanized on the track during Saturday’s Preakness undercard.
Kathy Guillermo – senior vice president of the animal rights group – has denounced the organizers of the Triple Crown race for providing Baffert with access to the track.
The latest controversy surrounding the 75-year-old comes just two months after a federal judge denied Baffert’s request to have his two-year ban lifted by Kentucky Derby coordinators, which the Hall of Fame coach described as a “kind of cancel culture”. ‘ in 2021.
“Pimlico should have followed Churchill Downs’ lead and kicked Bob Baffert off the track,” Guillermo exclusively told DailyMail.com. “Baffert has been embroiled in drug scandals, the deaths of seven horses that collapsed in California and at least 75 horses in his care have died.
“Havnameltdown’s tragic death is the latest in a long line of deaths. The racing industry must kick out the bad guys or it will have blood on its hands and blood on its tracks.
Havnameltdown’s death comes weeks after the Kentucky Derby was eclipsed by eight deaths in a 10-day period before the May 6 race.
