For the connections of classic winner National Treasure, there figures to be some traveling this summer – one way or the other.

The 2023 Preakness Stakes victor shot to the top of the NTRA Top 10 Poll through a decisive 6 ¼-length romp in the prestigious Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap June 8 at Saratoga Race Course, and where he starts next could provide a glimpse into the future, specifically the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The Bob Baffert-trained son of Quality Road has come out of the Met Mile in fine shape and has either the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga or the Aug. 31 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar as the top items on a yet-to-be-finalized travel agenda.

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“Bob wants to keep all his options open for National Treasure. The next start could be anything from the Whitney to the Pacific Classic,” said Tom Ryan of SF Racing and SF Bloodstock, the managing partner of the 4-year-old’s overflow ownership group. Ryan added that the Sept. 28 California Crown at Santa Anita Park also is an option. “All I can say is that he’s come back great from the Metropolitan Handicap, where he showed everyone he’s top class. The way he pulled away was very impressive. He demolished the field. When he’s on top of his game like that, he’s a very dangerous horse.”

While several factors will enter into the decision, topped by Baffert’s view on how National Treasure is training at the time, the choice between the Whitney and the Pacific Classic could provide some insight as to plans for the Breeders’ Cup.

A year ago, the Met Mile winner lost by a nose to Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, enhancing the 4-year-old’s stock as a premier miler.

As National Treasure has won the 1 3/16-mile Preakness and the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Baccarat in January, the 1 1/8-mile Whitney would surely be within his scope.

Yet with National Treasure in California and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic set to be contested at Del Mar at a 1 ¼-mile distance, the Pacific Classic, which is also a mile-and-a-quarter race, could provide a dress rehearsal for the Classic.

“We know he’s not limited to a mile. The question is, do we stretch him out? He’s versatile enough to run in the Classic,” Ryan said. “Bob will make a decision when things become clearer. He’s a healthy, sound horse and we have lots of options. Either Bob’s going to book a plane for him and he’ll head east for his next start or I’ll book a plane and head west to see him.

“Either way, to run in three Breeders’ Cups would be a special accomplishment. You don’t get that too often these days, especially with a dirt horse. We’re very proud of the training job Bob and his staff have done with him. “

With National Treasure set to join the stallion roster at Spendthrift Farm after he concludes his racing career at the end of the year, Ryan said the Met Mile added an even bigger dose of glitter to an already impressive résumé.

“You have to love the pedigree. He’s out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare (Treasure) and he has become such a great influence. National Treasure is bred by Peter Blum out of a great sire, and I am excited for Spendthrift Farm and everyone who is connected with him to have such a high quality son of Quality Road go to stud next year,” Ryan said.

National Treasure, a $5.3 million earner and three-time Grade 1 winner, is owned by a partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan that has been dubbed “The Avengers.” He was bought for $500,000 from the Bridie Harrison consignment at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s New York sale of preferred yearlings.

Prince of Monaco (Eclipse Sportswire)

While National Treasure’s victory was euphoric, the connections took a gut punch when Grade 1 winner Prince of Monaco ran for the first time in seven months on June 8 at Saratoga and was bumped at the start and pinched back, giving away four lengths to the field, before he rallied wide and settled for second by a half-length to the New Jersey-bred Book ‘em Danno in the Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun.

The seven-furlong Woody Stephens was the 3-year-old’s first start since the son of Speightstown finished fifth in the Nov. 3 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

“It was heartbreaking that he got tangled up at the start and then ran wide. It’s a messy chart of the race when you read what happened to him. But he showed us he’s top class. Anyone who saw that race knows that,” Ryan said.

Ryan said Prince of Monaco is back with Baffert in California and is expected to return to Saratoga for the Aug. 24 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.

Last year’s Del Mar Futurity winner was bought for $950,000 from the Summerfield consignment at The Saratoga Sale. He was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

“It’s a boutique sale at Saratoga. There’s always quality there,” Ryan said. “It’s great when you can bring people like Bob Baffert and Donato Lanni and John Moynihan together and we are all putting our energy toward trying to find top quality yearlings.”

Prince of Monaco is owned by virtually the same group as National Treasure, with Dianne Bashor replacing Schoenfarber and Ryan having a solo share.