Bob Baffert is back in the Churchill Downs spotlight, and so is the buzz surrounding his return. The Hall of Famer who was banned after the Medina Spirit controversy in 2021 has officially returned with not just one but two contenders aiming to make history in the 151st Run for the Roses. After a three-year suspension and a mountain of media attention, Baffert walks into Derby week with a chip on his shoulder and two potential record-breakers in his barn.

Rodriguez and Citizen Bull—remember those names. They’re not just numbers on a leaderboard; they’re the faces of Baffert’s comeback tour. For a guy tied with the most Derby wins ever at six, this year offers a shot to break the tie and reassert his grip on the crown of American horse racing. Love him or loathe him, Baffert brings headlines, and if one of his colts crosses the wire first, it could be the most talked-about win of the decade.

So, is Baffert ready to reclaim his throne? His horses are. And the numbers, odds, and storylines suggest this might be his most compelling Derby appearance since Justify made Triple Crown history.

Bob Baffert’s 2025 Kentucky Derby horses

After months of uncertainty, Bob Baffert has officially returned to the Kentucky Derby with two solid entries: Rodriguez and Citizen Bull. It marks the end of his three-year ban that followed Medina Spirit’s disqualification and opens the door to a possible seventh win, which would break his current tie with Ben Jones. Baffert has been welcomed back into the fold with cautious optimism, and fans are watching closely.

Rodriguez heads into the Derby with serious momentum. Coming off a dominant win in the Wood Memorial and drawing post No. 4, the colt sits at 12-1 odds and will be ridden by none other than 58-year-old Mike Smith—the same jockey who guided Justify to Triple Crown glory in 2018. With early speed and proven stamina, Rodriguez could be the sleeper that breaks the tie for Baffert.

Citizen Bull, meanwhile, may be flying under the radar. Once pegged as a favorite thanks to wins in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and American Pharoah Stakes, his shaky performance in the Santa Anita Derby pushed his odds to 20-1. He drew the rail (post No. 1), historically a tough spot, but if he breaks well, he’s still a serious threat. Martin Garcia, a longtime Baffert collaborator, will guide him.

Baffert’s return: what does it mean for the 2025 Kentucky Derby

For three years, the Kentucky Derby existed without its most polarizing figure. Now that Bob Baffert is back, the attention is right where it used to be: on his barn. The suspension stemmed from the betamethasone positive test in Medina Spirit after the 2021 Derby, a saga that ultimately stripped Baffert of his seventh win and cast a shadow over his legacy. But even with over 30 failed drug tests in his career, Baffert remains the name fans can’t stop talking about.

This return isn’t just about two horses on a leaderboard. It’s a symbolic moment in the sport’s recent history. Baffert’s presence has reignited conversations around race-day medication, trainer accountability, and the power structures of American horse racing. NBC plans to air a special segment covering his comeback, underlining how big this storyline truly is.

Whether you believe Baffert deserves this shot or not, the bottom line is clear: he’s back, and he’s got firepower. And in a year where journalism leads the pack, the real story might still end with Baffert in the winner’s circle. Again.

Bob Baffert has made a career of rewriting history, and with Rodriguez and Citizen Bull in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, he might do it again. His suspension may have sidelined him, but it never truly erased him from the conversation. Now, under the lights of Churchill Downs, with the crowd roaring and cameras flashing, Baffert is poised for redemption-or another controversial chapter.

No matter the outcome, May 3 won’t just be about 20 horses chasing roses. It’ll be about whether Bob Baffert can silence the critics and make the loudest statement of all: winning.