Eighteen horses in the long history of the Triple Crown have won the Double Preakness Stakes (G1)—Belmont Stakes (G1) without winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), with Cloverbrook for the first time in 1877 and Alex’s Fleet finally in 2005.
National treasures 20th Preakness newcomer, will attempt to be 19th when he races in the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes on June 10 at Belmont Park.
History is not entirely on his side. Since Pillory in 1922, no horse has crossed the Preakness—Belmont double without racing in a Derby. Preakness Winner 2021, Rombauer, was the last to try it, third after essential quality And Charlie’s Hot Stick in Belmont three weeks later.
The 3-year-old pony coached by Bob Baffert trained at Belmont Park ahead of Saturday’s race under the supervision of Baffert’s assistant Jimmy Barnes, recording two workouts at half a mile on the 30th. May: 50.62 under Hall of Fame driver John Velazquez and the next move lasted five strides on June 5 under gymnast Erick Garcia with a record: 59.55.
“He’s moved in from Baltimore and has been very comfortable here, has exercised (Monday) and looks great,” Barnes said at the post-June 6 placement draw.
Winners of two of six starts and $1,335,000 for owners of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, National Treasure could merge legitimized his status among the country’s elite 3-year-olds with a leading seventh attempt.
Having established a gentle pace in beating six opponents in Preakness there are only two classified bet winners available, one of which is a quick return Derby winner magician National Treasure was the fourth pick on the light line for Saturday’s race at 5-1.
Earlier this spring, in an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Derby, he finished fourth in the April 8 Santa Anita (G1) Derby in a start for coach Tim Yakteen , a barn change made by two years privately owned by Churchill Downs Inc. -Suspended Hall of Fame coach for horse drug violations in 2020-21.
The 3-year-old, who has participated in three other classification races, including a pair of 1st graders, has faith in his relationships.
Tom Ryan of SF Racing, managing partner of the ownership group, said last week: “The horse came out of Preakness in great shape. “He moves super. His mind is in a great place. His appetite is amazing. He gave all the right signs. Johnny V. spoke very clearly. with me (after practice at the end of May). He said, ‘Tom, the horse feels great.'”
Southern California-based Baffert — a Hall of Famer bidding for his fourth Belmont Stakes win, won it in 2001 with Preakness Point Given winner and later with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (2015) and justification (2018)—to Belmont Park on June 9.
As in Preakness, his cadets seemed to have the main speed advantage in Saturday’s race at the hands of two-time Belmont champion Velazquez.
Speaking to the New York Racing Association in public about the victory over National Treasure in Preakness over Blazing Sevens gave Baffert his record-long 17th win in the Triple Crown series, he said, “We’re really proud of how deep he digs. We think the distance will get him far. than.”
