National Treasure holds on to win Preakness 148 (Maryland Jockey Club)
NYRA Press Office
ELMONT, N.Y.— SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan’s Grade 1 Preakness-winner National Treasure arrived at Belmont Park on Wednesday for a potential start in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on June 10, the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the son of Quality Road will be stabled in the barn of conditioner John Terranova, who also welcomed the Baffert-trained Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify ahead of their historic triumphs in the “Test of the Champion.”
Terranova said National Treasure arrived in good order and enjoyed his first trip around Big Sandy on Thursday with exercise rider Simon Harris up.
“He went to the track early and was cruising around there for a jog once around,” said Terranova. “It’s all good and he’s settled in nice and quiet. He’s actually staying in the same stall that American Pharoah and Justify stayed in. We’ll talk to Bob and see what he wants to do every day.”
As reported by the Santa Anita Park stable notes, Baffert said he will need to see a strong work from National Treasure to warrant a start in the Belmont. National Treasure is one of three potential Belmont Stakes starters for Baffert, who is also considering Sir Barton-winner Arabian Lion and Grade 3 Sham-winner Reincarnate. Baffert is in search of his fourth Belmont Stakes triumph after he saddled Point Given [2001], American Pharoah [2015] and Justify [2018] to victory.
National Treasure, who also finished a respective second and third in the Grade 1 American Pharoah and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, went out for another trip around Big Sandy on Friday.
“He went out the same time today and galloped nice and smooth,” said Terranova. “All is well.”
National Treasure scored his Preakness victory in dramatic fashion after a prolonged stretch duel with Grade 1-winner Blazing Sevens to his outside. He is the first stakes winner produced from the Medaglia d’Oro mare Treasure and was purchased for $500,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.
