You wouldn’t imagine a Breeders’ Cup Classic without Hall of Famer Bob Baffert having an entry in the prestigious race. The last time that happened was in 2008, which makes the situation in 2025 quite intriguing. Baffert still doesn’t have a horse eligible for the November 1st 1 ¼ mile race, and just one challenger race remains. So, is the legendary trainer deciding to let this one go?

Not yet, not when he has in his stable a colt with Triple Crown pedigree. The big development was shared by Santa Anita Park’s X handle on September 26. The post read, “PRIVMAN, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Antonio Fresu, is all business ahead of the GI Goodwood Stakes.” And the big question followed: “Could this be his Breeders’ Cup ticket?”

Goodwood comes with enormous stakes. It’s a ‘win and you’re in the Breeders’ Cup Classic’ race. And being the last challenger race sets it up perfectly, doesn’t it? The race will be run on September 27 at the Santa Anita Park, and Baffert is putting everything on the line with a strong field.

Recent speculation suggests that Baffert will have two more horses, Gaming and Nevada Beach, at the starting gate. But it’s the pedigree of Privman that may make him Baffert’s best bet for the Goodwood and also the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The colt was sired by none other than Justify, the 2018 Triple Crown winner. Foaled in 2022 in Kentucky, Privman was bought by the team of SF Bloodstock, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $625,000.

Now, Baffert is hoping the colt will deliver a big performance. So far, Privman has started in 5 races, having three 2nd-place finishes, and winning the last two races. His last race was on August 9, when he won the allowance optional claiming race at Del Mar, running a 1:36.35. Baffert hopes Privman makes it 3 straight wins on September 27.

And still then, the winningest trainer of the Breeders’ Cup will have a lot more work left to do over the weekend.

Another Breeders’ Cup qualification at stake for Bob Baffert

The Breeders’ Cup Championship is a group of 14 races that will be run at the Del Mar racecourse on October 31 and November 1. Baffert already has 2 horses – Hope Road and Seismic Beauty qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and Distaff races, respectively. He hopes he adds a third thoroughbred on September 27. And on September 28, Bob Baffert will try to enter another name in the Distaff race.

The $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes has the trainer with three entries: the 4-year-old Cavalieri, the 3-year-old Howin, and the 5-year-old Rachi. The turn of fortunes brings Cavalieri into the spotlight, but another Nyquist-sired thoroughbred, Nysos, is now not in the picture for the Breeders’ Cup, it seems.

Also a 4-year-old, Nysos was being hyped as Bob Baffert’s trump card for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But the colt got scratched from the Pennsylvania Derby because of a foot bruise. And now, it doesn’t look like he will race in the Goodwood, the last chance for automatic entry.

But Baffert will be kept busy throughout the weekend at Santa Anita. Does the trainer make it to 2 more additions to the Breeders’ Cup?