Plans Undecided as National Treasure Exits Whitney

Following his lackluster effort in the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3, National Treasure was doing well Aug. 4. "He broke well. (Jockey Flavien) Prat said he went about 50 yards and he wasn't into the bit," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He just didn't bring his A game, that happens." The 4-year-old son of Quality Road is now 0-for-3 on an off-track, failing to take his usual spot on the lead in all three attempts and fading to finish off the board. However, Baffert was unwilling to place the blame purely on the track condition. "The track was in good shape yesterday, it wasn't the track," Baffert said. Baffert noted that shipping horses east from his California base has become more difficult in recent years. In the past, Tex Sutton Equine Air Transportation was able to offer flights for top stakes horses across the country. However, the company suspended use of a dedicated aircraft in 2021 as they looked to secure a lease for a new plane. KING: Tex Sutton Still Pursuing New Lease on Cargo Plane "It's a tough ship here now without Tex Sutton, people don't realize that," Baffert said. National Treasure shipped to Saratoga a week out from the June 8 Metropolitan Handicap, which he won by 6 1/4 lengths. Prior to the Whitney, the colt arrived just four days before the race. "It's tough when you ship, sometimes it takes the starch out of them," Baffert said. "I learned a lot from this." Baffert was not certain what lies ahead for the three-time grade 1 winner owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. National Treasure will return west where he will likely remain until the Breeders' Cup, held Nov. 1 and 2 at Del Mar. Baffert was also undecided on whether the colt will start in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) or Dirt Mile (G1). A possibility for a final prep would be the $1 million California Crown (G1) at Santa Anita Park Sept. 28, California's new version of the Pegasus World Cup (G1). Baffert believes it is important for him to support the race and California with horses regardless of whether National Treasure is one of them. "They want to make it like a Pegasus-type day with excitement. That's good, especially in California," Baffert said. Referencing former Philadelphia Phillies' star Jayson Werth's involvement with dual grade 1 winner Dornoch, he added "It is cool to own a horse. We need more stuff like that." The day, which was Baffert and his wife Jill's anniversary, was not completely lost as Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor won the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar for the Hall of Fame conditioner. "I was trying to get a win for her (Jill)," Baffert said. "We love that filly so much. When you get one like that beat, it really hurts you."