For trainer Bob Baffert, it wasn’t vindication. Perhaps it was closure.
Yet more than anything what happened at the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) was a microcosm of the past two years for the Hall of Fame trainer. Two years filled with a Kentucky Derby (G1) victory overturned by picograms, suspensions, and some incredibly important wins came full circle May 20 when National Treasure outdueled Blazing Sevens by a head in an epic stretch battle to give Baffert a record eighth Preakness win and 51-year-old Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez his first win in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course.
“I couldn’t have done it without my beautiful wife Jill’s support and my family and friends,” Baffert said as his voice cracked with emotion. “We’ve been through a tough go. But we knew we would get through this and I just focus. Like I’ve said, it’s the love of the horse that keeps me focused and keeps me going and I just kept the noise out. We had some tough moments, but it’s days like this that (are) not really vindication. We have a moment we can enjoy what we do. We get rewarded for how hard everybody in my team works. To me, that’s mainly what this is about.”