Report: Baffert confirms Whitney as National Treasure target

Confirming what had been expected, trainer Bob Baffert told BloodHorse he plans to run three-time Grade 1 winner National Treasure on Aug. 3 in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.

The 4-year-old colt who finished first last out in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) would be looking for his third top-level score this year after opening his 2024 with a victory in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1).

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“The plan is to run in the Whitney if he continues to do real well,” Baffert told BloodHorse’s Bob Ehalt.

Skippylongstocking, a six-time graded-stakes winner for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., also is expected to line up in the Whitney. Bright Future and Crupi, both from the Todd Pletcher barn, are possible starters.

Baffert also said he would aim Woody Stephens (G1) runner-up Prince of Monaco toward the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) on Aug. 24 at Saratoga and that he would not enter any horse for next Saturday’s Haskell (G1), the Monmouth Park race he has won a record nine times.

Both National Treasure and Prince of Monaco are owned by partnerships led by SF Racing.