Works: National Treasure leads 14 graded winners Monday

Three-time Grade 1 winner National Treasure worked at Del Mar on Monday for trainer Bob Baffert. Winner of the Preakness last year as well as both the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and Pegasus World Cup (G1) this year, he is working back after finishing a disappointing sixth behind Arthur's Ride in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga. National Treasure covered six furlongs in 1:12.6, the fastest time of three works over the course and distance.

Two other top-level winners worked Monday, also at Del Mar. 2024 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Newgate, also trained by Baffert, worked six furlongs in 1:13.6. He has not raced since March, when he was ninth in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Stronghold, trained by Phil D'Amato, worked a sharp five furlongs in 59.6 seconds Monday morning. Winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) this year, he most recently ran second behind Dragoon Guard in the Indiana Derby (G3).

These 14 graded-stakes winners worked Monday across North America:

National Treasure (Quality Road), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Metropolitan Handicap, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, 2023 Preakness), worked six furlongs in 1:12.6 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going six furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed sixth in the Whitney (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 3 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Newgate (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Santa Anita Handicap), worked six furlongs in 1:13.6 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the slowest of three works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed ninth in the Dubai World Cup (G1) going about 1 1/4 miles on the dirt at Meydan on March 30 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Stronghold (Ghostzapper), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Santa Anita Derby), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of 28 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed second in the Indiana Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 6 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Coffee in Bed (Curlin), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Santa Maria), worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 28 works at the distance. Her previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start she placed seventh in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 3 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Desert Dawn (Cupid), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Santa Anita Oaks), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 15th fastest of 28 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start she placed fourth in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 3 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Emmanuel (More Than Ready), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Pennine Ridge), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 32 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fourth in the United Nations (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on July 20 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Integration (Quality Road), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Hill Prince), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Fair Hill on Monday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed second in the Arlington Million (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 11 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Messier (Empire Maker), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Westchester, 2022 Robert B. Lewis, 2021 Bob Hope), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won the Westchester (G3) going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on May 3 for trainer Rick Dutrow.

Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Whitmore, 2022 Maryland Sprint), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Remington Park on Monday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Remington Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going five furlongs on the main track at Remington Park on Aug. 17 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Background (Khozan), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Longacres Mile Handicap), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of 32 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in a claiming race going one mile on the main track at Ellis Park on Aug. 18 for trainer Michael Puhich.

Comanche Country (Highland Reel), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Surfer Girl), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Woodbine on Monday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 19 works at the distance. Her previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Woodbine. In her last start she placed eighth in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Woodbine on July 13 for trainer Julia Carey.

More Than Looks (More Than Ready), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Manila), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed second in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 11 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Molly Pitcher), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 13 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed second in the Shuvee (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 21 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Star Fortress (Sea The Stars), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Cardinal), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 13 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed eighth in the Canadian (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Woodbine on Aug. 10 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.