The Run for the Roses is almost upon us. While the Kentucky Derby undoubtedly makes every horse racing fan’s heart beat faster, this year’s spectacle at Churchill Downs will be something special indeed. After 3 long years, legendary horse trainer Bob Baffert will make his return to the fabled Kentucky racetrack, chasing what many believe to be his destiny: a record seventh Derby win. But before the race has even begun, Baffert’s chances of winning have been slashed in half.

Rodriguez, winner of this year’s Wood Memorial, was one of the favorites with 12-1 odds against him. However, just days before the action is set to unfold, the 3-year-old thoroughbred was scratched from the starting lineup. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez,” said SF Racing with Team Baffert in an official statement. Baffert, too, had something to say.

In a YouTube upload by FanDuel Racing from May 1, the legendary trainer was heard talking about what brought about the “tough decision“. When asked about the tough decision, Baffert said, “…he had a little foot issue right after I breezed him. It’s just one of those things where it’s still a little sensitive and he’s going to need a few more days,” underscoring that Rodriguez’s health has been the main reason as to why the team decided to the horse sit out the 151st edition of the coveted race.

With that, Bob Baffert also mentioned that allowing his best bet to win the race, enter the competition despite his foot issue, would have been a disaster waiting to happen. “You have to be perfect if you’re going to win the Derby. You got to be 100% perfect,” Baffert said. But it doesn’t mean Rodriguez’s lane will be left unoccupied when the gates open on Saturday.

John A. Shirreffs-trained Baeza will be filling up the spot for Bob Baffert’s absent horse. Baffert’s Citizen Bull will also keep his hopes alive, even though the horse only has a poor 20-1 odds against its name. But while Baffert’s decision to give Rodriguez some rest would be lauded by many of the fans, others would have a hard time forgetting how ghosts of nightmare past still haunt the iconic trainer.

Bob Baffert continues to have dark clouds hover overhead

Over the years, Baffert has attracted significant flak over his treatment of horses. A decade ago, seven horses suffered major cardiac-related issues in Bob’s stable, much more than any other stable in the state of California. Moreover, just days ago, two more of his horses were injured fatally and had to be euthanized later, which caused PETA to urge Churchill Downs to put in place stricter regulations.

“Many breakdowns at Churchill Downs would be preventable if more safety measures were just put in place,” the animal rights organization wrote on social media. Maybe the eyes on him were what made Bob opt to take a more rational and soft decision with Rodriguez. However, this isn’t the only horse that Baffert had to discount for the Kentucky Derby, even if it had the potential to make his return to the CDI a triumphant one.

4-year-old Nysos made quite the ripple at this year’s Del Mar and Santa Anita Derby, and even won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes by 26 3/4 lengths. And yet, Nysos also won’t be carrying Bob Baffert’s banner this weekend. “He had a little hiccup, so we gave him 30, 45 days off. Then I gave him like 60 – no rush for him or anything like that. We are not going anywhere,” the trainer told HRRN. Will his good deeds pay off? Can Baffert’s return to the Churchill Downs ground ensure him reclaiming his high throne? Only a couple of days before we get the answer!