Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Decisions, Decisions for Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert
In the world of horse racing, Sunday proved to be a day of mixed results for legendary trainer Bob Baffert. While his stable star Adare Manor secured a resounding victory in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar, stablemate National Treasure faltered in the prestigious Whitney (G1) at Saratoga.
Adare Manor Defends Hirsch Title
Adare Manor, the 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo owned by Michael Lund Petersen, continued her impressive form by defending her Hirsch title. Under the confident guidance of jockey Juan Hernández, the mare overcame a tricky trip around the far turn to secure her third consecutive victory this season, following earlier successes in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn and the Santa Margarita (G2) at Santa Anita.
“They had her completely pinned in, and she worked her way out of it,” Baffert said, impressed by Adare Manor’s determination. This level of grit and tenacity could prove invaluable if the trainer decides to take on the males in the upcoming $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar on August 31.
National Treasure Falters in Whitney
However, Baffert was left without easy answers for National Treasure’s disappointing sixth-place finish in the Whitney. The 4-year-old colt by Quality Road, who had previously dominated the Met Mile, failed to find his usual form, finishing 10 lengths behind the gate-to-wire winner, the unheralded Arthur’s Ride from the Bill Mott stable.
“It’s a tough ship. He just didn’t feel like running,” Baffert said of National Treasure’s performance. “Sometimes they wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and he did.”
As Baffert looks ahead to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in November, he must now decide on the best path forward for National Treasure. The trainer acknowledged the colt’s struggles on off tracks, with the Whitney being his third consecutive defeat in such conditions.
“I’m going to get him back, freshen him up, get him filled out a little bit,” Baffert said, leaving the door open for a potential start in either the $1 million Dirt Mile or the $7 million Classic at the Breeders’ Cup.
With the talented Adare Manor securing an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the future of National Treasure’s campaign still to be determined, Baffert has some crucial decisions to make in the coming weeks as he prepares his stable for the sport’s premier year-end event.
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