68 years. That’s how long Ben Jones stood tall as the trainer with the most Kentucky Derby wins until he had to share it with Bob Baffert. But while Bob has been tremendously successful on the racecourse, he has also been involved in significant controversies.

In 2021, Baffert’s horse, Medina Spirit, won the Kentucky Derby but was shortly afterward revealed to have tested positive for the banned substance, betamethasone. That resulted in Medina Spirit‘s Derby win being revoked, and Baffert being suspended all the way till 2024 by Churchill Downs. And now, as the trainer finally returns to his familiar territory, he once again does so with severe heat on his back.

The official PETA X account took to the platform on May 1 to highlight how the Kentucky Derby has caused irreversible damage to horses over the years. To assert its argument, the social media update referred to Lost In Limbo, the horse who suffered career-ending injuries at the 2023 Kentucky Derby. “As the #KentuckyDerby nears, don’t forget Lost in Limbo – one of the horses who suffered a devastating injury at Churchill Downs and later died,” reads the caption of the post, as the accompanying video clip shows the horse falling down while running and struggling to get back to its feet. A heartbreaking thing to see, undoubtedly. But the 7-year-old gelding wasn’t the only horse to suffer a fatal injury that year in Churchill Downs. Kimberley Dream also received a ligament-tearing injury and was euthanized later.

“Many breakdowns at Churchill Downs would be preventable if more safety measures were just put in place,” PETA’s post went on to note that a more rigid set of regulations can bring a stop to such incidents. The animal rights organization also turned its gaze toward Baffert. In a post on Instagram, PETA urged for “protections for Bob Baffert’s horses ahead of the Kentucky Derby,” calling Baffert “one of horse racing’s deadliest trainers.”

Just in the weeks leading up to the Churchill Downs, two of Baffert’s horses, Willy and Non Compliant, suffered injuries and were euthanized. In 2023, Havnameltdown, another Bob Baffert-trained horse, was euthanized after it fell and threw its rider off its back. “It’s the worst feeling. And we grieve. We do grieve when these things happen. There is nothing worse than coming back and the stall is empty,” said the trainer after having to put down the 3-year-old colt. However, while the history weighs down heavily on Bob’s shoulder, he will assuredly be coming to the Kentucky Derby with eyes on winning.

Will the return to the Kentucky Derby be all rainbows and unicorns?

In 2024, it was the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby. Naturally, Bob Baffert did everything in his power to be present among his peers for the landmark moment of the prestigious race. Baffert’s client, Amr Zedan, even filed for a lawsuit against Churchill Downs, seeking a temporary injunction that would allow Baffert’s trainees to enter the Kentucky Derby. His request, however, was denied, and Baffert later went on to accept his faults.

In July, Bob put out an official statement, accepting that Median Spirit’s failed drug test was on him, and also noted that he looked forward to doing his time and getting back to the Kentucky Derby with a clean slate. However, his forty-seventh appearance at the Churchill Downs racecourse continues to draw ire from the community. To make things worse for him, his chances of winning the Derby have also suffered a major blow.

Bob was initially slated to race two horses at this year’s Kentucky Derby—Citizen Bull and Rodriguez. The latter of these two won the Wood Memorial earlier this year and was cited as the “clear favorite” to win Saturday’s race. However, late on Thursday, Baffert announced that Rodriguez had suffered a bruised foot and would not be running at Churchill Downs on the weekend. Citizen Bull, who finished fourth at this year’s Santa Anita Derby, does not have too many hopes pinned on him. But could the thoroughbred help Bob Baffert overcome the recent woes by pulling off a miracle that the trainer’s horses are known for? Only time will tell!