National Treasure has returned to light training after being scratched as the morning-line favorite in last Saturday's San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita due to a bruised foot.
Tom Ryan, managing partner of National Treasure's large ownership group, said in a Twitter post Friday that the connections are “very pleased with the progress he's made.
“Looking to get him back on the work tab when the latest weather system clears out,” Ryan said.
National Treasure was runner-up in the American Pharoah (G1) Oct. 8 at Santa Anita following his debut victory the previous month at Del Mar. He closed the season running third in the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland. The Quality Road colt, who cost $500,000 at at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, was third again when making his sophomore bow in the Sham (G3) Jan. 8 at Santa Anita. All four outings thus far came under trainer Bob Baffert. Last month, the colt was transferred to trainer Tim Yakteen.
The hope is National Treasure can have one more start in a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep to accrue the necessary qualifying points to run in the 1 ¼-mile classic May 6 at Churchill Downs. That could potentially come in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 8.
Yakteen said earlier this week he would wait until National Treasure has a work before deciding where he runs next.
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