Baffert Makes Triple Crown Return in Preakness 148

In his first visit to Pimlico Race Course in almost three years, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Friday it was hard to predict whether his Preakness Stakes (G1) starter National Treasure could deliver a record-breaking eighth win in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.

Justify’s victory in 2018 on his march to a sweep of the Triple Crown pulled Baffert, 70, even with 19th century trainer R. Wyndham Walden for the most winners in race Preakness history. He holds the record for most wins in the Triple Crown series with 16.

National Treasure will be Baffert’s first starter in a Triple Crown race since Medina Spirit finished third in the 2021 Preakness. Baffert was last on the grounds in October 2020 when his Derby winner Authentic finished second to Swiss Skydiver in the rescheduled Preakness. National Treasure, a son of Quality Road, has not raced since finishing fourth in the April 8 Santa Anita Derby (G1). He has one victory in five career starts but has been graded stakes-placed three times.

Baffert shipped the colt and three other Preakness Weekend stakes horses from California to Baltimore on Saturday and traveled to Maryland on Thursday with his family. He watched National Treasure go out for his morning exercise at Old Hilltop.

“He looked fine,” said Baffert, whose trainee is rated second at 3-1 behind 4-5 favorite Mage on the revised morning line. “He just galloped around there. It was a routine gallop. He looks healthy.”

Baffert had already decided to put blinkers back on National Treasure before he drew Post 1. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who has yet to win the Preakness, will ride the colt for the fifth time.