Tag: Bob Baffert

Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert and his wife, Jill, took part in a pro-racing demonstration in front of the LA County Board of Supervisors building. (Image: I Am Horse Racing)

Baffert, O’Neill Lead Protest for California Racing at LA County Board

Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill built a rivalry among the Santa Anita Park training colony, fueled by the fact that they’ve trained a combined four Kentucky Derby winners since 2012. But the two training mainstays put aside their rivalry on Tuesday to lead a demonstration outside the Los Angeles County […]

Such is the pent-up racing demand and standout crop of 3-year-olds, Oaklawn Park may split the Arkansas Derby into two separate races. (Image: Eclipse Sportswire/Getty)

Overflowing Arkansas Derby Field May Require Two Divisions

It’s the only Kentucky Derby prep currently on the calendar, which explains why the Arkansas Derby is popular these days. But 99 nominations popular? To paraphrase Roy Scheider’s character from “Jaws” – “Someone’s gonna need a bigger race.” Oaklawn Park published the Arkansas Derby nominations list over the weekend, a […]

Bob Baffert's Thousand Words ships in from California as a vulnerable 5/2 favorite for the Oaklawn Stakes. (Image: OG News)

Oaklawn Stakes Vaults Into Prominence as Biggest Game in Any Town

Ignore for the moment that there are no Kentucky Derby qualifying points up for grabs at Saturday’s $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes. Instead, follow the lead of Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen and pay attention to the opportunity. In Baffert’s case, it’s an opportunity to see how Thousand […]

Seen here winning the San Vicente in January, Bob Baffert's Nadal checks all the boxes for a Rebel Stakes winner. (Image: Eclipse Sportswire)

Which Speedster Can Lock Up Kentucky at the Rebel Stakes in Arkansas?

Like its Santa Anita counterpart, last weekend’s San Felipe, the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas is a Grade 2 Kentucky Derby prep race that boasts predictability, a blueblood pedigree of winners, and the ever-present Bob Baffert. The Rebel, a 1 1/16-mile, two-turn test, is Saturday’s lone Derby prep […]

The 8/5 favorite for the San Felipe Stakes, undefeated Authentic isn't a drama-free runner. He won the Sham by 7 3/4 lengths despite inexplicably breaking for the rail twice down the stretch. (Image: OG News)

Undefeated San Felipe Favorite Authentic Finds Unorthodox Ways to Win

He is the offspring of Into Mischief, which probably explains why San Felipe Stakes favorite Authentic found himself causing trouble in his last Kentucky Derby prep race. It was in January’s Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita — the same track Authentic will tackle Saturday as the 8/5 favorite […]

By winning his first race in spectacular fashion, Charlatan drew comparisons to former Bob Baffert trainee Justify. Can he justify those comparisons? (Image: Ernie Belmonte)

A Charlatan has Joined the Kentucky Derby Futures Board

With five victories, the name “Bob Baffert” is synonymous with Kentucky Derby success. Accordingly, the Hall-of-Fame trainer rarely has a Charlatan in his endless barn of 3-year-old Derby hopefuls. Until now. Say hello to Charlatan, the newest top-10 member on the Kentucky Derby Futures Odds board. In his racing debut, […]

Rested and Ready Game Winner may come back Saturday in Los Alamitos Derby. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

Horse Racing’s Three-Year-Old Division Readies for a Shake Up

Rumblings out of Southern California – not the earthquake variety – indicate Triple Crown winning trainer Bob Baffert may be rolling out his three-year-old star Game Winner Saturday at Los Alamitos. Baffert has yet to confirm his exact plans. Entries for the race are taken Wednesday. If he runs, expect […]