With just a neck separating National Treasure (Quality Road) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in a thrilling renewal of the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes back in January, the two will meet for the third time this season in Saturday's inaugural GI California Crown Stakes at Santa Anita.
Senor Buscador turned the tables on National Treasure and delivered a come-from-behind head victory in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 24, then was a well-beaten third in the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup. Given plenty of time to bounce back following his trip to the desert, the popular 6-year-old resurfaced with a useful fourth in the seven-furlong GII Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 24. In four starts this year, Senor Buscador has bankrolled more than $11.7 million.
“It's been fun,” trainer Todd Fincher said of Senor Buscador's 2024 campaign.
“I just don't think the race is going to set up. I know he'll run a good race, but I'm probably going to be on the losing end. Still, this should set him up great for the Breeders' Cup, which will likely be loaded with a lot more speed.”
After passing on the Dubai World Cup, National Treasure delivered a blowout, front-running win in the stallion-making GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga June 8. He failed to fire as the 4-5 favorite over the off going–he's been off the board in all three of his attempts on wet tracks–in the GI Whitney Stakes at the Spa last time Aug. 3.
In addition to the aforementioned 8-5 morning-line favorite, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will also saddle second-choice 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic), a perfect three for three this season, led by a win in the GI Arkansas Derby, and the rail-drawn GI Santa Anita Handicap winner 'TDN Rising Star' Newgate (Into Mischief), off since a ninth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup.
Any pre-race instructions for jockeys Flavien Prat (National Treasure), John Velazquez (Newgate) and Juan Hernandez (Muth)?
“They all know these horses already,” Baffert said. “Those guys are professionals. I don't want to get in their way. I think they'll just play the break and go from there.”
With the connections of Indispensable (Constitution) opting instead for Sunday's GIII Oklahoma Derby at Remington, a scratched-down field of six will line up for the $1-million 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The 1 1/8-mile California Crown replaced the Awesome Again Stakes on the Santa Anita stakes calendar.
The California Crown is part of a blockbuster day of racing at the Great Race Place, featuring five stakes races, VIP area trackside performances by Gryffin, Lil Yachty, Shaboozey, Frank Walker and Zack Bia and high-end dining experiences featuring the world's leading chefs.
The 10-race program also includes the GII California Crown John Henry Turf Championship Stakes, the GII California Crown Eddie D Stakes and the GII City of Hope Mile Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.
The California Crown, John Henry and Eddie D will all be aired nationally on CNBC and streamed on Peacock starting at 3 p.m. PT.
A Pair of Breeders' Cup Berths on the Line at the Big A
A quartet of graded events, including a pair of Breeders' Cup Challenge races, will be on tap Saturday at the Belmont at the Big A meeting.
The two-for-two Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), a narrow winner while making his U.S. debut for Chad Brown in the GIII With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 29, will look to punch his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in the 'Win and You're In' GII Pilgrim Stakes.
Comedy Town (Speightstown), claimed by trainer and co-owner Saffie Joseph, Jr. for $25,000 earlier this season and currently riding a three-race winning streak at Gulfstream, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the GIII Vosburgh Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.
The 7-year-old mare War Like Goddess (English Channel) will attempt to defeat males for the third straight year and become the first three-time winner of the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. The 2022 and 2023 winner will meet GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes upsetter 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel) and Sword Dancer third Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).
They'll have to catch two-time GII Charles Town Classic Stakes winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), who is the controlling speed in the GII Woodward Stakes. Only four remain following the defection of the 10-for-10 South American sensation Kay Army (Chi) (Katmai {Chi}).
Pair of Gradeds Beneath the Lights at Churchill Downs
Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) will be heavily favored in Saturday evening's GIII Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The speedy gray held on for third in the G1 Saudi Cup, but could do no better than 12th in the G2 Godolphin Mile. He fired fresh off the bench with a wire-to-wire success in the R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Stakes at Ellis Park last time Aug. 11.
The GII Lukas Classic, scheduled to jump at 10:40 p.m., features leading contenders Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), 'TDN Rising Star' Disarm (Gun Runner) and Rattle N Roll (Connect).
Full results for both will appear in Monday's TDN.
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