Preakness Results 2023: Finishing Times, Payouts List and Video Highlights | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

National Treasure stormed out of the gate, clinging to a slim lead while heading into the first turn at a remarkably slow pace.

And the Baffert-trained horse basically never fell behind.

Coffeewithchris hung around for much of the race but could not edge ahead and faded late. Blazing Sevens momentarily nosed to the lead on the final stretch and provided a thrilling finish. After sharing a couple of bumps, though, Velazquez and National Treasure pulled in front for a tight yet clear win by a head.

"That's why he's in the Hall of Fame," Baffert said of Velazquez, according to Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun. "I'm always confident when Johnny's on my horse."

Mage, the race favorite and Kentucky Derby winner, stalked the leaders but could not mount a winning surge at the end.

"With no speed in the race, it's hard to catch up with a horse that comes from behind," Mage jockey Javier Castellano said, per Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal. "My horse responded, but I couldn't catch those other two horses. They opened up, and the race was over."

Attention now shifts to the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes, which is slated for Saturday, June 10.