National Treasure Likely to Start in Belmont Stakes

Although there won't be a Triple Crown sweep this year, there could be a winner of two of the three jewels.

The connections of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure  say the son of Quality Road   will be sent to New York May 24 by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to prepare for a start in the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

The 1 1/2-mile Belmont is the final leg of the Triple Crown, following the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) and May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1).

"The plan is to ship to New York (Wednesday) and we'll take it day by day from there. He bounced out of the Preakness in great shape and seems to have a lot of energy and good appetite, all those good signs," said SF Racing's Tom Ryan, managing partner of the 3-year-old colt's ownership group. "I think he gave us every reason to believe he's fit enough to handle the mile-and-a-half. We're looking forward to it."

National Treasure posted a head victory over Blazing Sevens  after a scintillating stretch duel in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. Kentucky Derby winner Mage  was third. 

Neither Mage nor Blazing Sevens will be running in the Belmont, with both targeting summer campaigns featuring the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan, National Treasure has won two of six starts. Bred by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds out of the Medaglia d'Oro   mare Treasure , he has earned $1,335,000 and was bought for $500,000 from the Bridie Harrison consignment at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's New York Sale of Select Yearlings.

Prior to the Preakness, he was fourth in the April 8 Santa Anita Derby (G1). At 2, he was third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

Ryan said the group's grade 3 winner Reincarnate , 13th in the Kentucky Derby, is also a possibility for the Belmont depending on how he trains in the coming weeks. Baffert said May 22 that Reincarnate had lost weight after the Kentucky Derby and that sending him to "The Test of the Champion" would be a last-minute decision.

Among the other main possibilities for the Belmont include 2-year-old champ Forte , Tapit Trice , Kingsbarns , Prove Worthy , Angel of Empire , Hit Show , Red Route One , Arcangelo , Sun Thunder , and Raise Cain .

The ownership group figures to have a busy Belmont Stakes Day, with Pat Day Mile (G2) runner-up Fort Bragg  and Gilmore  considered probable for the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) and Carter Handicap (G1) victor Doppelganger  is bound for the Metropolitan Handicap (G1). Brendan Walsh trains Gilmore, while Brittany Russell conditions Doppelganger.

Fort Bragg made his most recent start for trainer Tim Yakteen due to Churchill Downs Inc.'s current ban of Baffert, but the colt has since rejoined his stable.  

The Met Mile, won by Horse of the Year Flightline   in 2022, once again promises to be a blockbuster with the Bill Mott-trained duo of Breeders' Cup winners Cody's Wish  and Elite Power  along with Carter runner-up Repo Rocks  targeting the prestigious race. White Abarrio  is also an intended starter with new trainer Rick Dutrow, one of his co-owners announced Tuesday.