Kentucky-bred National Treasure dominated his rivals in the $1 million Metropolitan H. (G1) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga on Saturday, notching a 6 ¼-length front-winning victory. The Metropolitan score earned National Treasure an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar in November.
Jockey Flavien Prat sent National Treasure to the front at the start. He received pressure from Hoist the Gold through the early stages, but entering the stretch, National Tresure shook loose from his five rivals. He powered through the lane to win by 6 ¼ lengths in the end, stopping the clock for the one-mile test in 1:35.12.
The 4-year-old Quality Road colt is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. Trained by Bob Baffert, National Treasure, last year’s Preakness S. (G1) winner, kicked off his 4-year-old season this year with a win in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
“He’s a good horse and in his last couple works, he tipped me off that, ‘Hey, I’m back,’” said Baffert. “I’m proud of the horse. When he shows up, he’s super. I’m proud of him and my team.”
National Treasure is now an earner of $5.37 million and he has won four of 13 lifetime starts. A $500,000 graduate of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2021, National Treasure is produced from the Medaglia d’Oro mare Treasure. He was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds.