Bob Baffert: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ban over, Bob Baffert back in Kentucky Derby spotlight

Disgraced and decorated, Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs this week ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby with a tale to tell. With a a three-year suspension

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Suspension Lifted, Baffert Aims for Seventh Derby Win

With a suspension from Churchill Downs lifted, trainer Bob Baffert has two chances for a record-breaking seventh win in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1). The disqualification of Medina Spirit in 2021 for a medication infraction leaves Baffert with six.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / April 20

After 10 Years, Citizen Bull Returns Garcia to Derby

After a 10-year absence, veteran jockey Martin Garcia is headed back to the Kentucky Derby (G1). He is set to ride Citizen Bull, last year's champion 2-year-old male, for trainer Bob Baffert in the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs May 3.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / April 19

Richi Relishes California With Santa Maria Score

Chilean-bred Richi has acclimated well for trainer Bob Baffert, "getting stronger and stronger," he said, and she proved it emphatically with an easy win in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) April 19 at Santa Anita Park.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / April 18

Madaket Road Out of KY Derby; Neoequos Closer to Berth

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, a six-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, has narrowed his squad of Thoroughbreds for the May 3 Run for the Roses from three to two.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / April 6

Rodriguez 'Moving Like a Gazelle' After Wood Victory

The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) saw its 100th running won by the talented Rodriguez for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert April 5, providing his 10 owners with their third likely contender for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / April 5

Baffert's Tenma, Silent Law Run 1-2 in Santa Anita Oaks

Trainer Bob Baffert is returning to Churchill Downs this spring with more than a Kentucky Derby (G1) chance. He has a further opportunity there in the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) with California's top 3-year-old filly, Tenma.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / March 28

Cornucopian Looks to Meet High Expectations in AR Derby

Though high on his Arkansas Derby (G1) entrant, debut winner Cornucopian and the Arkansas Derby's 7-5 morning-line favorite, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert says Coal Battle is the deserving public choice.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / March 28

Mike Smith ‘Ready to Play’ in Florida Derby

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has called upon Mike Smith to fill in for Tyler Gaffalione, who sustained a broken ankle in a starting gate mishap, to ride Madaket Road in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / March 17

Five Baffert Runners Work at Santa Anita

Barnes, who endured his first defeat in the San Felipe March 1, and standout debut winner Cornucopian worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Park in company March 17 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / March 8

Cavalieri Remains Undefeated in Beholder Mile

Cavalieri defeated Chilean-bred Richi, both trained by Bob Baffert, in the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita, bringing her perfect record to 4-for-4.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / February 23

Barnes, Rodriguez Put in Final Works for San Felipe

Barnes and Rodriguez, candidates to run in the March 1 San Felipe Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds, each worked in company Feb. 23 for trainer Bob Baffert. Citizen Bull also worked, with his next start expected to come in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / February 17

Barnes, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez Work for Baffert

Barnes and Rodriguez, candidates for the San Felipe (G2) on March 1 at Santa Anita Park, and fellow 3-year-old Citizen Bull all worked for trainer Bob Baffert Feb.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / February 1

Citizen Bull Delivers in 2025 Return in Robert B. Lewis

In winning his 13th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and seventh straight, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert best summed up the performance from Citizen Bull during a postrace television interview, saying, "The champ is back."

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / February 1

Kopion Emulates Sire Omaha Beach in Santa Monica Win

In defeating three tough runners from the Bob Baffert barn in the Santa Monica, Kopion reminded her trainer, Richard Mandella, of her sire, Omaha Beach, also a Mandella trainee.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / January 30

Robert B. Lewis Stakes At a Glance

The Robert. B. Lewis Stakes (G3) is a Southern California Kentucky Derby prep race that has been dominated in recent years by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the last six editions among his 12 victories in this Santa Anita Park race.

Horse Racing News / ESPN / January 4

Barnes wins San Vicente Stakes; Baffert goes 1-2

Barnes defeated stablemate Romanesque by 5½ lengths to win the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in a field of Kentucky Derby hopefuls on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Horse Racing News / BloodHorse.com / January 2

Look Forward Heads First SoCal Oaks Prep in Santa Ynez

In his first year since being reinstated by Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Baffert has entered three fillies in the Jan. 5 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park, the first prep race of the year for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) in Southern California.

Horse Racing News / Field Level Media / May 17

Bob Baffert is back, seeking ninth Preakness amid controversies

BALTIMORE -- There is little doubt that Bob Baffert is one of the most accomplished horse trainers in North American history. He is only one of two trainers in the annals of the sport to have conditioned two Triple Crown winners.

Horse Racing News / Yardbarker / May 8

Horse racing best bets: Should you back this horse instead of Mystik Dan at the Preakness Stakes?

There is a lot of excitement in the racing world following the 2024 Kentucky Derby, which will have fans and avid bettors alike looking forward to the Preakness Stakes.

No Preakness decision yet, but Ken McPeek 'encouraged' by Mystik Dan's appetite

The 'Triple Crown winners' quiz

The 'Preakness Stakes winners' quiz

Horse Racing News / Action Network / May 1

Kentucky Derby betting: Why aren’t Bob Baffert’s horses running at Churchill Downs?

Bob Baffert's horses are ineligible to run the 2024 Kentucky Derby The 150th Run for the Roses won't see Baffert's horses in the competition because of a suspension that dates back to 2021.

2024 Kentucky Derby betting: Odds for family members racing against each other at Run for the Roses

Brad Cox’s Encino scratched from Kentucky Derby, Epic Ride to replace

Kentucky Derby odds: 150th Run for the Roses opening projections

Best Kentucky Derby betting sites — Everything you need to know before you bet

The 'Kentucky Derby winners' quiz

Horse Racing News / Paulick Report / April 19, 2024