For the connections of traditional winner Nationwide Treasure, there figures to be some touring this summer time – by hook or by crook.
The 2023 Preakness Stakes victor shot to the highest of the NTRA Prime 10 Ballot by 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 long run, particularly the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The Bob Baffert-trained son of High quality Highway has come out of the Met Mile in high quality form and has both the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga or the Aug. 31 FanDuel Racing Pacific Traditional Stakes at Del Mar as the highest gadgets on a yet-to-be-finalized journey agenda.
“Bob needs to maintain all his choices open for Nationwide Treasure. The subsequent begin may very well be something from the Whitney to the Pacific Traditional,” 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 components 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 Traditional 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 Yr Cody’s Want within the Massive Ass Followers Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile, enhancing the 4-year-old’s inventory as a premier miler.
As Nationwide Treasure has received 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 certainly be inside his scope.
But with Nationwide Treasure in California and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional set to be contested at Del Mar at a 1 ¼-mile distance, the Pacific Traditional, which can also be a mile-and-a-quarter race, might present a costume rehearsal for the Traditional.
“We all know he’s not restricted to a mile. The query is, will we stretch him out? He’s versatile sufficient to run within the Traditional,” Ryan stated. “Bob will decide when issues turn out to be clearer. He’s a wholesome, sound horse and we’ve a number of choices. Both Bob’s going to e book a airplane for him and he’ll head east for his subsequent begin or I’ll e book a airplane and head west to see him.
“Both manner, to run in three Breeders’ Cups can be a particular accomplishment. You don’t get that too usually as of late, particularly with a mud horse. We’re very pleased with the coaching job Bob and his workers have executed with him. “
With Nationwide Treasure set to hitch 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 fair greater dose of glitter to an already spectacular résumé.
“You must love the pedigree. He’s out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare (Treasure) and he has turn out to be such an awesome affect. Nationwide Treasure is bred by Peter Blum out of an awesome sire, and I’m excited for Spendthrift Farm and everybody who’s related with him to have such a top quality son of High quality Highway 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 well-liked 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 firstly and pinched again, giving freely 4 lengths to the sector, earlier than he rallied broad 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 acquired tousled firstly after which ran broad. It’s a messy chart of the race if 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 all the time 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 vitality towards looking for top of the range yearlings.”
Prince of Monaco is owned by nearly the identical group as Nationwide Treasure, with Dianne Bashor changing Schoenfarber and Ryan having a solo share.
