Baffert: 'Belmont is a possibility' for Arabian Lion off stakes win

Arabian Lion may head to the Belmont after kicking off the Preakness day stakes program in style Saturday, rolling to a popular four-length victory in the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes.

The 25th running of the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton for 3-year-olds was the first of 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.75 million in purses. The feature is the 148th Preakness, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

"I think he (belonged) in the Preakness the way he ran today, and I probably should have put both of them (Arabian Lion and National Treasure) in there," trainer Bob Baffert said after the race. "The Belmont is a possibility with him."

Arabian Lion ($2.80) broke sharply and found himself in familiar position on the lead under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, chased by 25-1 long shot Feeling Woozy around the first turn in a 24.47-second first quarter. Tapit’s Conquest moved up to the stalking spot racing two wide after a half in 48.13 seconds.

Velazquez had yet to ask Arabian Lion at the top of the lane, but the son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify responded when roused in mid-stretch and drew clear to win in 1:41.43 over a fast main track. Tapit’s Conquest was a game second, 6 1/2 lengths ahead of Denington. Sheriff Ronnie and Feeling Woozy completed the order of finish. Masterwork was scratched.

It was the second Sir Barton win for Velazquez, following King for a Day in 2019. Baffert – who also trained Justify – earned his fourth Sir Barton victory after Fame and Power (2015), American Freedom (2016) and Ax Man (2018).

Arabian Lion sold for $600,000 as a 2-year-old in training last April to owner Zedan Racing Stables and broke his maiden at first asking in October. He raced twice more as a juvenile, finishing fifth as the favorite in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). This year he was fourth in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) on Feb. 4 at Santa Anita and second by a half-length to First Mission in the April 15 Lexington (G3) at Keeneland.

Sir Barton won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in 1919, becoming the first horse to sweep what became known as the Triple Crown when Gallant Fox matched the feat in 1930. He won or placed in all 13 of his starts as a 3-year-old and retired in 1920 with 13 wins from 31 races. In 1957 Sir Barton was inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame.