Welcome to the wonderful world of Bob Baffert, sporting so many early Kentucky Derby prospects it’s tough to keep track of them all.
Out of the Derby picture for three years after being suspended by Churchill Downs in 2021, the six-time winner of the Run for the Roses is back in a big way. The Hall of Famer, who turns 72 on Monday (Jan. 13), has no less than eight promising 3-year-olds with Derby potential.
Barnes. Benoit Photo.
And in the opening week of the usracing.com Derby Top 10, Baffert starts out at No. 1 and No. 2 with Barnes and Citizen Bull.
Also in the mix is No. 6 Gaming. Others he’s planning to test the waters with include Getaway Car, Rodriguez, Madaket Road, Romanesque, and San Saba.
In 2021, Baffert-trained Medina Spirit finished first in the 2021 Derby, but the horse was disqualified after testing positive for a race-day overage of a medication. Baffert was banned from all Churchill Downs, Inc. owned racetracks.
“It’s nice to have that behind me, I want to have fun again,’’ Baffert said. “It’s good to move forward.’’
Forward we go as Baffert seeks a record seventh victory in 151st Derby.
Barnes, a $3.4 million son of Into Mischief, dusted the field in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) on Jan. 4 to improve to 2-0. Citizen Bull won the BC Juvenile (G1) to complete a 3-for-4 season and will likely be voted 2-year-old male champion at the Eclipse Awards on Jan. 23.
After last weekend’s two Derby points qualifiers, a few new prospects popped into the picture: Jerome Stakes winner Cyclone State at No. 8 and Smarty Jones Stakes winner Coal Battle at No. 7.
With a few minor changes in the road to the Derby, the prep season with qualifying points moves to stage two beginning with the Lecomte Stakes (G3) on Jan. 18 at the Fair Grounds — seven preps worth 20-10-6-4-3 points to the first five finishers. Previously, the points were 10-5-3-2-1 (other than the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which awarded points of 30-5-9-6-3).
As the season progresses, the point structure increases to 50-25-15-10-5 and then 100-50-25-15-10. The top 20 point-earners qualify for the Derby.
The usracing.com Top 10 list will be updated periodically over the next 3 ½ months.
Included in the Top 10 will be the Derby future wager odds. The second of six pools closed Dec. 1, with the next pool open on Jan. 17. A total of 38 horses are listed, with Barnes the individual favorite at 13-1; Citizen Bull at 16-1. All other colts and geldings are at 9-5; fillies are 69-1.
Last year’s opening Top 10 listed five eventual Derby starters
A year ago, our opening Top 10 did not fare well when the Derby rolled around – although five of our opening Top 10 ran in the race, our best fourth-place finisher Catching Freedom. The other also-rans were Honor Marie (eighth), Dornoch (10th), Fierceness (15th), and Just Steel (17th).
Jockeys listed are from the horse’s most recent race.
After rolling to San Vicente win, colt named for Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes has to start off at the top of the heap … Purchased by Amr Zedan for $3.2 million at the Saratoga yearling sale … If he runs in the Derby, he’d be the third highest priced horse sold at auction to do so (2000 winner Fusaichi Pegasus, $4 million; and 2009 also-ran Dunkirk – 11th — $3.7 million) … Pedigree: Into Mischief-All American Dream, by American Pharoah … Next start: TBD … Derby points: 0 … Derby future wager odds: 13-1 (pool 2).
Closed out 2-year-old campaign with Grade 1 wins in the American Pharoah and BC Juvenile to become Eclipse Award favorite … Steady workouts at Santa Anita over the past month, most recently 5 furlongs in 59.20 at Santa Anita on Jan. 3 (fastest of 22 at the distance) … Purchased for $675,000 at Keeneland yearling September sale … Multiple owners include: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables … Pedigree: Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor … Next start: Robert B. Lewis, Feb. 1, Santa Anita … Derby points: 40 (1st) … Derby future wager odds: 16-1.
A promising prospect after impressive Los Alamitos Futurity win over Baffert’s Gaming and Getaway Car on Dec. 12 … Purchased for $875,000 at the Saratoga yearling sale … Owned by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta … Pedigree: Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo … Next start: Robert B. Lewis, Feb. 1, Santa Anita … Derby points 10 (10th) … Derby future wager odds: 52-1
Outside post 10 spelled doom in the BC Juvenile (he ran sixth), but last-to-first wins in the Champagne and Hopeful dub him a worthy Derby prospect. Purchased for merit serious consideration … Purchased for $725,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ 2-year-olds in training sale … Owned by Flanagan Racing … Pedigree: McKinzie-Bernadreamy, by Bernardini … Next start: TBD … Derby points 10 (6th) … Derby future wager odds: 21-1
Failed to fire in the BC Juvenile (seventh), but earlier 1-mile Iroquois win at Churchill Downs keeps him in the mix. Ran second in the Kentucky Jockey Club after a bumpy start last out … Ohio-bred purchased for $290,000 at 2022 Keeneland breeding stock sale … Owned by Rigney Racing … Pedigree: Vekoma-Female Drama, by Indian Charlie … Next start: Risen Star, Feb. 15, Fair Grounds … Derby points 15 (5th) … Derby future wager odds: 38-1
He may have gone from winning the Del Mar Futurity to second in the BC Juvenile to third in the Los Alamitos Futurity, but we’re talking losses to his stablemates (plus Journalism) … Purchased for $250,000 at the Ocala 2-year-old sale … Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman … Pedigree: Game Winner-So Stylish, by Johannesburg … Next start: Southwest, Jan. 25, Oaklawn Park … Derby points 18 (3rd) … Derby future wager odds: 21-1
A rousing four-length win in the Smarty Jones puts bargain colt in Derby picture for veteran trainer seeking his first graded stakes win … Also won Springboard Mile at Remington Park … Purchased for $70,000 at the Texas thoroughbred yearling sale … Owned by Norman Stables … Pedigree: Coal Front-Wolfblade, by Midshipman … Next start: Rebel, Feb. 22, Oaklawn Park … Derby points 20 (2nd) … Derby future wager odds: 9-5 (mutuel field)
Needed five races to break his maiden, but now has three-race win streak after Jerome victory … Derby future unclear since Saudi Derby (Feb. 22) could be next but Iowa-bred will train in Florida until decision is reached … Purchased for $70,000 at Keeneland yearling sale … Owned by Al Gold’s Gold Square, George Messina, and Michael Lee … Pedigree: McKinzie-Chanel’s Legacy, by Dominus … Next start: TBD … Derby points 10 (12th): Derby future wager odds: 9-5 (mutuel field)
Gate-to-wire winner of the 1-mile Mucho Macho Man on Jan. 4, his previous start was a front-running 2 ¾-length maiden win at 6 ½ furlongs at Churchill Downs in November … Purchased for $800,000 at the Keeneland yearling sale … Owned by Morplay Racing, Joey Platts, and Lady Sheila Stable … Pedigree: Gun Runner-Sky My Sky, Bernardini … Next start: Holy Bull, Feb. 1, Gulfstream Park … Derby points: 0 … Derby future wager odds: 72-1
Stumbled badly at the start of BC Juvenile and finished ninth of 10, but this result won’t count against him; he won the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in October by 5 ¼ lengths … Worked 4 furlongs in 49.2 at the Fair Grounds on Jan. 3 … Owned by Dubai Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin global operation … Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro-Dance Music, by Ghostzapper … Next start: Risen Star, Feb. 15, Fair Grounds … Derby points: 10 (7th) … Derby future wager odds: 15-1
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
