In a pack full of horses who were generally either stalkers or closers, it was the horse willing to set the pace that ended up claiming the Black-Eyed Susans.

National Treasure set the early pace and didn't look back. Jockey John R. Velazquez wisely put his horse in the front of the pack and established a relatively slow pace into the first turn.

That strategy paid off well as Blazing Sevens was the only colt willing and able to contest the lead down the stretch. It was a close call, but Velazquez got the well-earned victory.

br_betting @br_betting

NATIONAL TREASURE (5-2) WINS THE PREAKNESS 🐎 <a href="">

Velazquez was certainly due for a Preakness win. The future Hall of Fame jockey had earned victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont but a Preakness victory had evaded him in 12 previous mounts.

Bob Baffert, meanwhile, captured his eighth Preakness win. He now holds the record to himself for most victories in the historic race.

Cameron Drummond @cdrummond97

National Treasure wins the 148th running of the Preakness Stakes for trainer Bob Baffert and with jockey John Velazquez aboard.<br><br>Finally, John Velazquez wins his Preakness at the 13th time of asking.<br><br>Bob Baffert has won the Preakness 8 times now, a record.

National Treasure was trained by Baffert and was 5-2 so he wasn't a huge longshot, but he didn't even qualify to run in the Kentucky Derby so the win was impressive nonetheless.

Daily Racing Form @DailyRacingForm

National Treasure, who failed to earn enough qualifying points to race in the Kentucky Derby, gave Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez his first Preakness Stakes victory after a thrilling head-to-head battle with Blazing Sevens.<a href="">@DRF_DanIllman</a> recaps <a href="">

Mage and Red Route One finished third and fourth in the race. Mage was the post time favorite after winning the Kentucky Derby and didn't have a bad trip. He was well-positioned to make another late push but just didn't seem to have the gas left in the tank to gain any ground on the winner and runner-up.

The slow early pace didn't help in that regard.

Beverley Smith @BevSmithWrites

Smashing effort by Blazing Sevens in Preakness to finish a head back of National Treasure. Both Mage and Red Route One were compromised by the snail-like pace.

This was an interesting year for the Preakness. Mage was the only horse who also ran in the Kentucky Derby and the seven-horse field was one of the smallest in recent memory.

That should set up for a really interesting Belmont Stakes on June 10. With some Derby contenders possibly returning and National Treasure getting some time to rest, it could be a thrilling conclusion to this year's Triple Crown series.