When Bob Baffert was suspended by the Kentucky Derby in 2021, Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., called the trainer’s actions “Reckless practices and substance violations“. The time has been served, and the record six-time Derby-winning Baffert is less than 24 hours away from returning to the coveted racecourse. However, it seems like the tumultuous times have given the 72-year-old new life lessons, and he’s gained new perspectives to forge ahead.

In 2021, Baffert won his seventh Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit. Subsequently, a lawsuit revealed that the horse tested positive for betamethasone, and the CDI suspended the trainer and revoked his Derby title. The suspension was later extended, which kept Bob away from the “Winner’s Circle” all the way to 2024. But now he’s back. Well, in a few hours, technically, and he’s all about looking ahead.

The Associated Press posted on X on May 2, sharing Bob Baffert’s message ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby. “As a horse trainer, what you learn is that you can’t, you know, it’s not good to look back at what’s already happened. You need to stay focused on what’s in front of you at all times,” the celebrity trainer said. Noting that the sport has its ups and downs, Baffert further said, “…what’s happened in the last three years, that’s all been put behind me, and I’m focusing on what’s in front of me, because you can’t let that bother you.”

“In horse racing, if you’re winning 20 percent of the times, you’re really doing well, because we’re losing 80 percent of the time. So you cannot think about losses,” Baffert added, mentioning that he’s fully committed to what’s ahead right now. But, truth be told, the trainer doesn’t have much to do right now either, apart from being hopeful about the future.

Bob Baffert is easily one of the most successful names in equine sports. From winning the coveted Triple Crown twice to turning the Kentucky Derby into his own personal victory parade, the man has done it all. However, it all came crashing down in 2021. Baffert was initially suspended by CDI for two years, which was later extended an additional year, all the way to 2024.

And now, even as Bob Baffert waits to make his comeback to the iconic racecourse, animal rights organization PETA keeps a close eye on the trainer. And that’s not even the end of his woes.

Bob Baffert continues to look for a triumphant comeback

Medina Spirit’s disqualification was one of the worst things to have ever happened to Baffert’s legacy. Making matters worse, the colt died of a cardiac arrest in late 2021 after a workout session. “It’s one of those things where I’m just tired of talking about it,” Bob admitted to The Associated Press on Friday. With that, he noted his frustration over how he was irrationally vilified. “The bias against me, it’s just horrible. The only thing that gets me through this is I know we didn’t do anything wrong,” Bob said in 2023, while still banned by CDI.

Michael McCarthy, one of Baffert’s colleagues, called the latter a “polarizing” character who can be both the face of the sport as well as its biggest lawbreaker. But the 6x Kentucky Derby winner only wants to “have fun” now that his return to the Winner’s Circle is only a question of how soon? But with how things look so far, one would be skeptical about the chances of Bob’s return being that of a champion’s.

In April, Baffert’s horse, Madaket Road, a fourth-place finisher at the G1 Florida Derby, was pulled from competing at the 15th Kentucky Derby. Instead, the horse will be running at the Pat Day Mile using the Derby’s undercard. “That’s sort of been our goal all along, that’s a better distance for him,” Baffert explained the decision.

But that wasn’t the end of his troubles. Last month, two of Bob’s horses, Willy and Non Compliant, were euthanized after they were injured. Adding more headaches to the already tumultuous situation, Baffert’s best bet, Rodriguez, winner of this year’s Wood Memorial, was also scratched from entering the Derby because of a foot injury it picked up during training. Now, all of the trainer’s hope resides in Citizen Bull, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion. The thoroughbred has won this year’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes and also picked up a 4th-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby. And still, considering the highly competitive nature of the Kentucky Derby, Citizen Bull only has 14-1 odds  going into Saturday. But can the 3-year-old horse pull off something miraculous and bring a smile to Bob Baffert’s face? What do you reckon?