Bob Baffert could have taken the easy out and blamed the racetrack in the no-show performance of NATIONAL TREASURE in the G1, million dollar Whitney Stakes Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

But much to the surprise of Baffert nay-sayers he chose not to condemn the track which was listed as muddy (sealed).

NATIONAL TREASURE who had been at the top of a lot of lists as the best older horse in the country went off as the 4-5 favorite on Saturday, but slogged home in a non-threatening fashion, finishing 6th in a field of eleven.

“He just didn’t show up,” Baffert said on the Saratoga backstretch Sunday morning. “Once he didn’t get into the race early, that was it. I knew right there that he was going to lose interest and he did. He did not bring his ‘A’ game. It happens.”

In June, NATIONAL TREASURE Won the GI Metropolitan Handicap by 6 1/4 lengths at Saratoga, yet has finished off the board in the three times he has ran over an off track.

“I’m not blaming the track,” Baffert said. “The track was in good shape. I knew it was over on the first turn.”

Baffert said NATIONAL TREASURE will ship home to California on Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether Baffert will come back for the Travers Stakes August 24th.

ARTHUR’S RIDE didn’t seem to mind the off track as he made his Stakes race coming-out-party a memorable one as he took to the lead in the first turn and was never challenged, Winning by 2 3/4 lengths.

Jockey Junior Alvarado needn’t have flipped his goggles.

ARTHUR’S RIDE is from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and as prolific a trainer as he is, particularly at Saratoga, it was Mott’s first trip to the Winner’s Circle in the Whitney Stakes.

“Much like winning any other race; it’s great,” said Mott. “It’s a very important race. It’s a Grade 1, and probably one of the top two, or three races that they run in Saratoga.”