2023 Preakness: Mage, National Treasure both confirmed to run
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On the day Kentucky Derby winner Mage was confirmed as a starter for the Preakness so too was potentially one of his sternest challengers in National Treasure.
After working Friday morning at Santa Anita, National Treasure was declared a "go" by Bob Baffert, the seven-time Preakness-winning trainer who returns to the Triple Crown stage for the first time in two years.
Officially, National Treasure was credited with a half-mile in 47.40 seconds, though Baffert said it was a five-furlong drill from the half-mile pole. Baffert said he had 59.60 on his watch.
Baffert equipped National Treasure with a set of small blinkers and will use that equipment in the Preakness. Baffert used blinkers on National Treasure in two of his first three starts last year – a maiden win and a third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – but the horse has not worn them in either of his races this year.
“I think he’s better with a little blinker on him just to keep him focused,” Baffert said.
National Treasure finished third in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes on Jan. 8. Owing to Baffert’s suspension from the Kentucky Derby by Churchill Downs due to the Medina Spirit positive in 2021, National Treasure was later transferred to trainer Tim Yakteen in order to earn qualifying points in selected Kentucky Derby qualifying races.
National Treasure was forced to miss the San Felipe Stakes on March 4 due to a bruised foot. That, and some missed training time due to inclement weather, may have left him a bit short for the Santa Anita Derby where he finished fourth to Practical Move.
After the Santa Anita Derby, National Treasure was transferred back to Baffert.
“He’s working well enough where he should run well,” Baffert said. “I think he fits with those horses.”
John Velazquez, winless with 12 Preakness mounts, will ride National Treasure.
National Treasure was scheduled to ship East on Saturday along with three stablemates – Faiza (Black-Eyed Susan), Arabian Lion (Sir Barton), and Havnameltdown (Chick Lang). The horses have to fly FedEx to Newark, N.J., and then van down to Maryland.
Meanwhile, at Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage was confirmed for the Preakness by his connections, including trainer Gustavo Delgado, following a strong gallop Friday morning.
“Very excited. He’s had a magnificent week of training,” said Ramiro Restrepo, one of the colt’s co-owners along with OGMA Investments, Sterling Racing, and Commonwealth. “Gustavo’s just really pleased and over the moon with how he’s come back [from the Derby]. He’s shown all the positive signs, so it’s on to Baltimore and crab cakes.”
Delgado told Churchill Downs officials that Mage will depart the track by van for Baltimore on Saturday afternoon, after training that morning. The trip is estimated to take about nine hours.
◗ At Golden Gate, over that track’s Tapeta surface, Preakness longshot Chase the Chaos breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 by himself under jockey Epifanio Garcia.
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“That’s a pretty good work on this track,” trainer Ed Moger Jr. said. “I wasn’t looking to go that fast and he galloped out real strong. He’s ready to run.”
As of Friday, Moger had not yet finalized a rider.
Chase the Chaos earned a fees-paid berth to the Preakness by virtue of his victory in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate. He was nominated to the Triple Crown for $6,000 by the second deadline on March 27.
Chase the Chaos is scheduled to ship to Baltimore on Tuesday.
– additional reporting by Nicole Russo
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