National Treasure Fires Bullet Work Ahead of Pegasus

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National Treasure Fires Bullet Work Ahead of Pegasus
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
National Treasure after his victory in the 2023 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course

Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure  registered his third straight bullet work ahead of the Pegasus World Cup (G1) with a :59 3/5 five-furlong drill Jan. 13 at Santa Anita Park.

Although National Treasure has been nominated for the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1), co-owner Tom Ryan of SF Racing indicated on the media platform X Saturday afternoon that the Jan. 27 $3 million Pegasus at Gulfstream Park would be the colt's next start.

National Treasure, a 4-year-old son of Quality Road  , has been winless in four tries since his heroic triumph over Blazing Sevens  in the 2023 Preakness Stakes. The Bob Baffert trainee finished off the board in the Belmont (G1), Travers (G1), and Awesome Again (G1) stakes before turning in a stellar effort in defeat when dropping a nose decision to Horse of the Year finalist Cody's Wish   in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). His gallant attempt earned him a 115 Equibase Speed Figure, the highest figure of his 10-start career.

The colt returned to the work tab 16 days after the Nov. 4 Dirt Mile and has charted six breezes at Santa Anita Park as he progresses toward the Pegasus.

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Expected to join National Treasure in the ship eastward for the Pegasus is San Antonio Stakes (G2) victor Newgrange . Previously trained by Bob Baffert before joining the barn of Phil D'Amato, the Violence   colt covered a half-mile in :48 yesterday at Santa Anita.