National Treasure Set For Preakness Run After Sharp Breeze | 2023 Preakness Stakes News

After watching National Treasure turn in a sharp workout Friday morning at Santa Anita Park, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said that the colt will run in the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course.

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National Treasure had a listed time of :47.40 seconds for a half-mile, the fastest at the distance. It was his fourth timed work since he finished fourth in the April 8 Santa Anita Derby (G1). On May 6, the son of Quality Road breezed six furlongs in 1:11.20, also the fastest at that distance that morning. 

“I was happy with him,” he said. “It was serious but not as serious as last week’s. He went nice. I was happy with it.”

National Treasure and three other graded-stakes performers that worked Friday for Baffert will ship from California to Maryland Saturday to be prepared for Preakness Weekend stakes: Michael Lund Peterson’s unbeaten filly Faiza for the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) on Friday, May 19; and Havnameltdown for the Chick Lang (G3) and Arabian Lion for the Sir Barton on the Preakness program on Saturday May 20.

With Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez up, National Treasure will be Baffert’s 25^th Preakness starter. He is tied with 19^th century trainer R. Wyndham Walden with a record seven victories. His most recent victory was in 2018 with Triple Crown winner Justify.

National Treasure is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.  He has one win in five career starts but has three graded-stakes placings.