Watch: Bob Baffert discusses National Treasure, Arabian Lion

Friday morning, Andrew Capone of Horse Racing Nation caught up with Bob Baffert to discuss Preakness winner National Treasure, who goes for another jewel of the Triple Crown in Belmont Stakes 2023.

When assessing National Treasure's chance of staying the Belmont trip, Baffert cited the importance of both pace and how the horse travels. "The break is going to be important: as long as he gets in a nice rhythm, if you can get your horse in a nice rhythm, that means he's going to finish and he'll be able to handle the distance a lot better."

Baffert also discussed the most important lesson that National Treasure got out of the Preakness Stakes. "He learned how to win again," Baffert noted. "He's a fighter." National Treasure came into the Preakness off of four straight superfecta finishes in graded stakes, including three Grade 1 races, though he had not won a race since a debut maiden win in September at Del Mar.

Baffert also discussed the decision to turn Arabian Lion back to one turn for the Woody Stephens (G1) on Saturday's Belmont Stakes undercard, and the reasons for scratching Fort Bragg from the Woody Stephens.