National Treasure brings quite the crowd to Preakness winner's circle
?q=100)
Kentucky Derby winner Mage tested the capacity limits of the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs, as he is owned by the four-pronged partnership of OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and Commonwealth, the latter involving several hundred partners. But, improbably, the winner's stand for the Preakness Stakes two weeks later looked even more likely to overflow as the owners of National Treasure took their turn with the Woodlawn Vase.
National Treasure, who outdueled Blazing Sevens through the Pimlico stretch with Mage in third, is owned by an eight-part entity comprising - deep breath - SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.
National Treasure, by Quality Road, was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum, who sent him to the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale with the consignment of longtime associate Bridie Harrison.
"[Bloodstock agent] Donato Lanni loved the horse. [Stonestreet bloodstock adviser] John Moynihan loved the horse," SF's Tom Ryan recalled. "He was a horse that met all the criteria immediately. It was interesting, we brought [trainer Bob Baffert] to see the horse, and he literally took one glance and walked away. I was like, 'He doesn't like him.' And we walked around the corner, and he said, 'I love him.' "
The young National Treasure sold for $500,000, officially, to SF, Starlight, and Madaket, a group that dubs itself "The Avengers." Ryan is then credited with bringing in the other partners on the colt.
"I was very fortunate that Tom Ryan invited me to be part of this group, and it's been a great group to be part of," said Masterson, who is best known for campaigning turf champion and Hall of Fame racemare Tepin. "I've always raced fillies, and they said we're going to race colts, and I said I love that."
Ryan noted after the Preakness that National Treasure's breeder, Blum, also bred 2020 Kentucky Derby winner and eventual Horse of the Year Authentic. That colt was co-owned by Starlight and Madaket, in partnership with Spendthrift Farm and MyRacehorse. He was also trained by Baffert and ridden by John Velazquez.
"Thank God for Johnny," Starlight principal Jack Wolf said. "We've been working with Johnny for 20 years. He's won some great races for us. I'm so happy he was on this horse and he got to win his first Preakness and Bob won his [eighth]. Credit goes to Johnny and Bob and [assistant trainer] Jimmy Barnes and Tom Ryan for putting this group together."
The victory in Baltimore was particularly meaningful to some of the owners, who have long ties to the area. Masterson is a graduate of the University of Maryland. Sol Kumin, who runs primarily under the Madaket banner, went to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
"This is my favorite race of the year," Kumin said. "I went to college here in Baltimore, and first time I ever went to racetrack was Preakness Day, sneaking into the infield in college. This is always my favorite day of the year, and obviously I'm really happy for this group. It's a great group."
Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke has already been involved in the Preakness victories of Hall of Famers Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009). Her roles in Thoroughbred racing extend beyond her own involvement as an owner and breeder - and, after enjoying a favored race, she knows what she hopes for National Treasure later this year.
"This is wonderful, and it's no more than we all deserve," Banke said. "The Preakness is always my most fun experience in the Triple Crown, and it's wonderful to win here. Of course, since I'm the chair of the Breeders' Cup, I'm hoping we have a really great Breeders' Cup this year with a lot of these horses, including National Treasure."
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.