For the connections of basic winner Nationwide Treasure, there figures to be some touring this summer season – in some way.
The 2023 Preakness Stakes victor shot to the highest of the NTRA Prime 10 Ballot by way of a decisive 6 ¼-length romp within the prestigious Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap June 8 at Saratoga Race Course, and the place he begins subsequent might present a glimpse into the longer term, particularly the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The Bob Baffert-trained son of High quality Street has come out of the Met Mile in superb form and has both the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga or the Aug. 31 FanDuel Racing Pacific Basic Stakes at Del Mar as the highest gadgets on a yet-to-be-finalized journey agenda.
“Bob desires to maintain all his choices open for Nationwide Treasure. The subsequent begin may very well be something from the Whitney to the Pacific Basic,” stated Tom Ryan of SF Racing and SF Bloodstock, the managing accomplice of the 4-year-old’s overflow possession group. Ryan added that the Sept. 28 California Crown at Santa Anita Park is also an possibility. “All I can say is that he’s come again nice from the Metropolitan Handicap, the place he confirmed everybody he’s prime class. The way in which he pulled away was very spectacular. He demolished the sector. When he’s on prime of his recreation like that, he’s a really harmful horse.”
Whereas a number of elements will enter into the choice, topped by Baffert’s view on how Nationwide Treasure is coaching on the time, the selection between the Whitney and the Pacific Basic might present some perception as to plans for the Breeders’ Cup.
A 12 months in the past, the Met Mile winner misplaced by a nostril to Horse of the 12 months Cody’s Want within the Huge Ass Followers Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile, enhancing the 4-year-old’s inventory as a premier miler.
As Nationwide Treasure has gained the 1 3/16-mile Preakness and the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Introduced by Baccarat in January, the 1 1/8-mile Whitney would absolutely be inside his scope.
But with Nationwide Treasure in California and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic set to be contested at Del Mar at a 1 ¼-mile distance, the Pacific Basic, which can also be a mile-and-a-quarter race, might present a costume rehearsal for the Basic.
“We all know he’s not restricted to a mile. The query is, can we stretch him out? He’s versatile sufficient to run within the Basic,” Ryan stated. “Bob will decide when issues change into clearer. He’s a wholesome, sound horse and we have now a lot of choices. Both Bob’s going to ebook a airplane for him and he’ll head east for his subsequent begin or I’ll ebook a airplane and head west to see him.
“Both means, to run in three Breeders’ Cups could be a particular accomplishment. You don’t get that too usually today, particularly with a dust horse. We’re very happy with the coaching job Bob and his employees have finished with him. “
With Nationwide Treasure set to affix the stallion roster at Spendthrift Farm after he concludes his racing profession on the finish of the 12 months, Ryan stated the Met Mile added a good larger dose of glitter to an already spectacular résumé.
“It’s important to love the pedigree. He’s out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare (Treasure) and he has change into such an ideal affect. Nationwide Treasure is bred by Peter Blum out of an ideal sire, and I’m excited for Spendthrift Farm and everybody who’s linked with him to have such a top quality son of High quality Street go to stud subsequent 12 months,” Ryan stated.
Nationwide Treasure, a $5.3 million earner and three-time Grade 1 winner, is owned by a partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan that has been dubbed “The Avengers.” He was purchased for $500,000 from the Bridie Harrison consignment at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s New York sale of most popular yearlings.
Whereas Nationwide Treasure’s victory was euphoric, the connections took a intestine punch when Grade 1 winner Prince of Monaco ran for the primary time in seven months on June 8 at Saratoga and was bumped at the beginning and pinched again, freely giving 4 lengths to the sector, earlier than he rallied vast and settled for second by a half-length to the New Jersey-bred E-book ‘em Danno within the Woody Stephens Stakes Introduced by Mohegan Solar.
The seven-furlong Woody Stephens was the 3-year-old’s first begin because the son of Speightstown completed fifth within the Nov. 3 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Introduced by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
“It was heartbreaking that he received tousled at the beginning after which ran vast. It’s a messy chart of the race while you learn what occurred to him. However he confirmed us he’s prime class. Anybody who noticed that race is aware of that,” Ryan stated.
Ryan stated Prince of Monaco is again with Baffert in California and is predicted to return to Saratoga for the Aug. 24 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.
Final 12 months’s Del Mar Futurity winner was purchased for $950,000 from the Summerfield consignment at The Saratoga Sale. He was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.
“It’s a boutique sale at Saratoga. There’s at all times high quality there,” Ryan stated. “It’s nice when you’ll be able to carry folks like Bob Baffert and Donato Lanni and John Moynihan collectively and we’re all placing our power towards looking for high quality yearlings.”
Prince of Monaco is owned by just about the identical group as Nationwide Treasure, with Dianne Bashor changing Schoenfarber and Ryan having a solo share.
