Coach Bob Baffert was back in Kentucky on a cool November 2 morning in Lexington.
It’s not like he’s been gone for a long time. He went there earlier in the fall.
“I’ve been here a lot for sales,” said the Hall of Famer.
However, this time it is something different. He was in the stable at Keenelandoversees the training of the five horses he participates in the Breeders’ Cup races taking place November 4-5. Although he did run a few horses during Keeneland’s fall meet, today Wednesday marks the first time Baffert himself has returned to Bluegrass State to prepare his horses for a race since May 2021 and failed from the final disqualification of the Medina Spirit from the victory in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
“I love Kentucky,” Baffert said. “I love it here. I love going to the farms here and the people here. So I don’t feel awkward or weird or anything like that because the fans are happy to see me and everyone was happy to see me too. There were a lot of wise people. I feel normal.”
Baffert’s legendary career has indeed returned to normal little by little in recent months. The 90-day suspension issued by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Medina Spirit’s failed drug test ended on July 2. The New York Racing Association’s ban is expected to end. in less than three months, on January 25th. That would make the suspension happen first Churchill Downs and its network of tracks will run through this summer — and prevent him from riding in the 2023 Kentucky race — as the final hurdle to overcome before he can fully resume his career. himself without any of the inherent limitations and stresses he has faced over the past year and a half.
In Kentucky on Wednesday, Baffert was as jovial and shrewd as ever when discussing his own situation and assessing his horses’ chances.
“I’ve always had a fan base (in Kentucky) and have always had a good response since I got here. I went to the sales and people were behind me and a lot of people didn’t like what happened to me. But it’s one of those things you just have to deal with. There are a lot of good people out there. That family is tough. I knew when I got that call (about his failed drug test). Medina Spirit) my life will change, but you have to deal with it We are here We are healthy and that’s important.
“It was a salvation (on Medina Spirit),” he added. “If you can get it running again, I’ve handled it badly. I know something’s wrong. It’s crazy, but you learn. In this game, you win or you learn. .”
Baffert said the pressure of wars and court suspensions became easier to deal with thanks to the horses he saw every day in his stables.
“As for these horses, they are the best therapy you can get, and they are,” said Baffert, who is still partnering with owner Amr Zedan in a court battle to debunk the Medina Spirit’s status. give us hope. “They give us hope. I love being with them. I’m very attached to them. I’m a crazy horse and once you make a mistake, you can’t get rid of it. There’s no rehab for it. You have to die, like I tell people. And when you’re crazy, you love being around them and I love competing at the highest level. I just focus. You surround yourself with great horses. and really great clients. They’re my friends and they’re stuck with me.”
Baffert also expressed gratitude to his employees for maintaining stability during the 90-day suspension.
“I have a great team and while I’m gone they’ve done a great job,” Baffert said. “I don’t know what I’m going back for and it’s really scary, but I have a great team and we’re happy to be here.”
Baffert’s arrival to the Breeders’ Cup is as good as ever with a 29% win rate this year. The 18-race winner at the World Championships – the second-highest total in Breeders’ Cup history – his starters this weekend include one of the series’ favorites in Uncle Ho. 2 year old pony Stone cave .
Rock Caves in Keeneland
Baffert’s son trained Interrogation Cave Rock was undefeated in three starts and won both Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah Stakes (G1) by 5 identical 1/4 margins to Mike Pegram’s own team, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.
“There’s no telling how good he can be,” Baffert said of ‘s son Bellamy Street mare Georgie’s Angel bred by Anne and Ronnie Sheffer and purchased for $550,000 from a Gainesway shipment at Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
“He’s just unbelievable.”
Cave Rock was chosen as the favorite with odds over 4-5 in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).
Joining Cave Rock as a minor will National Treasure , who placed second in the American Pharoah. The son of Quality Sugar bred by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds and purchased for $500,000 from Bridie Harrison’s consignment at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s New York Sale of Select Yearlings, he garnered a score of 10 for the host corporation. its own.
“National Treasure hasn’t kept up with them, but he will,” Baffert said. “He’s still growing.”
Baffert will also send the winner of the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Taiba solve 3-5 options Flight route at the center of the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 5.
Baffert is hoping for the prospect of an intense speed fight between Life is good (6-1) and undefeated Flightline can increase the chances of a 3-year-old kicking late like Taiba.
“When (Flightline) crosses the 5/8 column, he’s going to start flying fully and that’s when they’re about to rock it,” said Baffert, who is about to celebrate 42 years of his first win as a pilot. is a coach, said. “So if I can move a little behind them. Taiba likes one target and he can’t have two better (in Flightline and Life Is Good). I just hope he can carry on. keep in touch with the field. I would love to see him hit other 3-year-olds.”
Owned by Zedan, Taiba won the Classic 1/4 mile and was settled at 8-1 odds. The son of the record stallion Gunman bred by Bruce C. Ryan, Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner was purchased for $1.7 million from Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds consignment at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s Florida Selection Sale 2 year olds are being trained.
