BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Glassman Racing’s Arthur’s Ride, who turned heads at Saratoga Race Course in June with a nearly 13-length victory and a 111 Beyer Speed Figure, takes his sharp form against some of the nation’s best older horses in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga Saturday. The $1 million Whitney has attracted a full gate of 12 set to go nine furlongs on the main track.
According to Daily Racing Form, the 111 Beyer Number is the best of the year going farther than a mile on dirt and was the second triple-digit speed figure in three races for the Florida-bred Arthur’s Ride. The Bill Mott trainee started 2024 by winning a first level, $25,000 optional claiming by seven-and-a-half lengths going a mile at Gulfstream on March 16, achieving a 101 Beyer number.
Arthur’s Ride faltered in his next start at Churchill Downs on May 3, finishing ninth in a second condition, $80,000 optional claiming going a mile over a sloppy track. However, he bounced back last out with authority in his notable victory going a mile-and-a-quarter at Saratoga on June 7 against second condition, $62,500 optional claimers. With jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, Arthur’s Ride lead from flag to finish to win by 12 ¾ lengths in 2:00.99 on the fast track.
Arthur’s Ride is by Tapit out of Points of Rage, by Point Given and was bred in Florida by Helen Barbarazon, Joseph Barbazon and Tapit Syndicate. He has won half of his six career races with two seconds while earning $214,955. He was a $250,000 yearling at Keeneland September where he was selected by bloodstock agent Donato Lanni.
Alvarado gets the return mount on Arthur’s Ride, who is 8-1 on the morning line and has post 11.
National Treasure has ranked as the nation’s top older Thoroughbred by the weekly NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll since June 24 and returns to Saratoga for the Whitney with trainer Bob Baffert.
The 4-year-old son of Quality Road has made his last nine starts against Grade 1 company going back to his fourth-place finish in the 2023 Santa Anita Derby won by Practical Move last April.
In three starts this year, National Treasure won the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream going a mile-and-an-eighth on Jan. 27 and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap going a mile at Saratoga last out on June 8. He was also fourth in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup won by Senor Buscador at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 24.
Last year’s Preakness winner has racked up $5,372,000 for owners SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan. He has won four with two seconds and two thirds from 13 lifetime races.
Baffert has again named Flavien Prat to ride National Treasure from post three and they are the 9-5 program favorites.
Trainer Brad Cox comes into the Whitney with First Mission, a winner of two graded stakes in four starts this year.
First Mission started the year finishing ninth in the Pegasus World Cup but rebounded to win the Grade 3 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park in March and the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs on May 3. Most recently, the 4-year-old son of Street Sense was fourth in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster won by Kingsbarns at Churchill on June 29.
First Mission is 9-2 on the morning line and will be ridden from post five by Florent Geroux.
Others set for the Whitney include Post Time and jockey Sheldon Russell, Disarm with Joel Rosario aboard, Warrior Johnny will have Tyler Gaffalione up, Il Miracolo has Manny Franco taking the call, Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Crupi, Tumbarumba and jockey Luis Saez, Javier Castellano takes the call on Bright Future, Skippylongstocking will have Jose Ortiz in the saddle and John Velazquez rides Charge It.
The Whitney has been won by some notable Florida-breds including Dr. Fager in 1968, Tri Jet in 1974 and Carry Back in 1962. Sultry Song was the last to do so in 1992, joining Island Whirl (1983), Nearly On Time (1977) and Dancing Gun (1976).
