Baffert says National Treasure looks good for Calif. Crown

Saying he will finalize the lineup this weekend, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert declared that three-time Grade 1 winner National Treasure looks like he will be good to go next Saturday in the inaugural Grade 1, $1 million California Crown at Santa Anita.

“I have National Treasure, and I have Muth,” Baffert told Horse Racing Nation on Friday, also mentioning his two-time Grade 1 winner who finished first this month in the listed Shared Belief at Del Mar. “Muth works tomorrow, and National Treasure worked today. He looked good. He’s looking good for (the California Crown). I’ll know for sure tomorrow for Muth and all those.”

Baffert also nominated Newgate, Reincarnate and Ultra Power to the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that was formerly known as the Awesome Again. Entries for the California Crown will be taken Monday.

A three-time Grade 1 winner sired by Quality Road and owned by the SF Racing partnership, 4-year-old National Treasure drilled a half-mile in 48.8 seconds Friday morning at Santa Anita on the fast main track.

Baffert also nominated Newgate, Reincarnate and Ultra Power to the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that was formerly known as the Awesome Again. Entries for the California Crown will be taken Monday.

National Treasure was 1 of 37 graded-stakes winners on the U.S. and Canada work tab Friday.

National Treasure (Quality Road), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Metropolitan Handicap, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, 2023 Preakness), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 56 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. 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.

War Like Goddess (English Channel), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, 2022 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, 2021 Flower Bowl), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Saratoga. It was the 49th fastest of 69 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Flower Bowl (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 31 for trainer Bill Mott.

Far Bridge (English Channel), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Sword Dancer, 2023 Belmont Derby Invitational), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 on turf at Saratoga. It was the sixth fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Sword Dancer (G1) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 24 for trainer Christophe Clément.

Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2023 First Lady, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:00.5 on turf at Saratoga. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in the Ballston Spa (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 22 for trainer Chad Brown.

Whitebeam (Caravaggio), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Diana, 2023 Diana), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 on turf at Saratoga. It was the second fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Diana (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 13 for Brown.

Arthur’s Ride (Tapit), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Whitney), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Saratoga. It was the seventh fastest of 69 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Sept. 1 for Mott.

Aspen Grove (Justify), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Belmont Oaks Invitational), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 14th fastest of 40 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won an allowance race going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 8 for trainer Jack Sisterson.

Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Champagne), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 42nd fastest of 97 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 11 for Brown.

Carl Spackler (Lope de Vega), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Fourstardave Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 on turf at Saratoga. It was the fifth fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 11 for Brown.

Highland Falls (Curlin), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Jockey Club Gold Cup), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 43rd fastest of 51 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Sept. 1 for trainer Brad Cox.

Immersive (Nyquist), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Spinaway), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the fastest of 15 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the Spinaway (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 31 for Cox.

McKulick (Frankel), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Belmont Oaks Invitational), worked five furlongs in 1:01.5 on turf at Saratoga. It was the third fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed third in the Flower Bowl (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 31 for Brown.

Vahva (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Derby City Distaff), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Keeneland. It was the 21st fastest of 45 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed third in the Ballerina Handicap (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 24 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Silver Knott (Lope de Vega), a three-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Bowling Green, 2024 Man o’ War, 2024 Elkhorn), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 22nd fastest of 40 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed third in the Sword Dancer (G1) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 24 for trainer Charlie Appleby.

Idea Generation (Dubawi), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Flower Bowl), worked five furlongs in 1:01.5 on turf at Saratoga. It was the third fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Flower Bowl (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 31 for Brown.

Intricate (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Golden Rod), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the second fastest of 40 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed fifth in the Alabama (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 17 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Señor Buscador (Mineshaft), a Grade 2 winner (2023 San Diego Handicap), worked three furlongs in 36.6 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed fourth in the Pat O’Brien (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 24 for trainer Todd Fincher.

Sparkle Blue (Hard Spun), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Hillsborough), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Hill. It was the seventh fastest of 17 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fourth in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) going one mile on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 31 for trainer Graham Motion.

Wynstock (Solomini), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Los Alamitos Futurity), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 29th fastest of 56 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the Shared Belief going one mile on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 1 for Baffert.

Messier (Empire Maker), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Westchester, 2022 Robert B. Lewis, 2021 Bob Hope), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 40th fastest of 97 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.

Hopper (Declaration of War), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Oaklawn Mile, 2022 Affirmed), worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Woodbine. It was the faster of two works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he won the Oaklawn Mile (G3) going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on April 1 for Baffert.

Mission of Joy (Kitten’s Joy), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Regret, 2023 Florida Oaks), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Fair Hill. It was the third fastest of 17 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed 10th in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) going one mile on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 31 for trainer Graham Motion.

Delahaye (Medaglia d’Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Old Forester Mint Julep), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Saratoga. It was the 20th fastest of 69 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed third in the Ballston Spa (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 22 for Brown.

Fort Bragg (Tapit), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Dwyer), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fastest of 56 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed sixth in the Malibu (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for Baffert.

Getaway Car (Curlin), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Best Pal), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the second fastest of 28 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 8 for Baffert.

Happy American (Runhappy), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Louisiana), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Churchill Downs. It was the 11th fastest of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was 16 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed third in the R.A. Cowboy Jones going one mile on the main track at Ellis Park on Aug. 11 for trainer Neil Pessin.

Liberal Arts (Arrogate), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Street Sense), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 20th fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in the Lexington (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 13 for trainer Robbie Medina.

Nooni (Win Win Win), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Sorrento), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 19th fastest of 56 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 7 for Baffert.

Occult (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Monmouth Oaks), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Saratoga. It was the fifth fastest of 69 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Saratoga on July 26 for Brown.

Pyrenees (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Pimlico Special), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Keeneland. It was the 21st fastest of 45 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Sept. 1 for DeVaux.

Red Flag (Tamarkuz), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Bob Hope), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 46th fastest of 56 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 7 for trainer Jeff Mullins.

Rocket Can (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Holy Bull), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Saratoga. It was the seventh fastest of 69 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 23 for Mott.

Smokin’ T (War Front), a Grade 3 winner (2023 River City), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 28th fastest of 97 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed seventh in a handicap going one mile on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Star Fortress (Sea The Stars), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Cardinal), worked four furlongs in 50.5 seconds at Saratoga. It was the 36th fastest of 69 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. 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 DeVaux.

Sugoi (Karakontie), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Louisville), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 34th fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was 19 days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fifth in the Arlington Million (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 11 for trainer Mike Maker.

Surprisingly (Mastery), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Endeavour), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Saratoga. It was the 20th fastest of 69 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed fourth in the Ballston Spa (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 22 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Zulu Kingdom (Ten Sovereigns), a Grade 3 winner (2024 With Anticipation), worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the fifth fastest of 40 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the With Anticipation (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 29 for Brown.