It was a tough Triple Crown season for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. His highly anticipated contenders didn’t quite make the mark, with Citizen Bull finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby and the promising Rodriguez getting scratched. It felt like a pretty quiet return to the classics for him, which is unusual. But, staying true to his legendary resilience, Baffert’s barn bounced back quickly with a strong summer. He showed off his skills with young talent by grabbing his record-extending 19th win in the Del Mar Futurity with the impressive $3 million colt Brant.

This victory highlighted just how deep his stable is and how well they can develop top-notch runners, no matter the distance or pressure. Getting back to winning ways sets him up nicely for his next big goal: the $1 million Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. But you know what? This challenge brings along an interesting statistic shared by racing journalist Brian Zipse.

On X, Zipse mentioned, “Goal Oriented (Not This Time), a close third in the Haskell (G1) last time, and Los Alamitos Derby hero Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) are both expected for the Pennsylvania Derby, per John DaSilva. Their trainer, Bob Baffert, has won the $1 million race four of the last eleven years.” This statement might seem straightforward, but it actually reveals an impressive level of control in a big prep race.

In a sport where it’s tough to stay consistent at the top, Baffert’s knack for winning this specific title four times since 2014 shows how well he targets the race and his talent for getting three-year-olds ready for that classic distance of 1 1/8 miles later in the season.

With four wins during this period, he’s the most successful trainer in the history of the modern Pennsylvania Derby. This race has always drawn the best three-year-olds in the country, all looking to make their mark in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This year, with two likely contenders, Baffert is set to boost his already impressive record. Goal Oriented is looking for a comeback after a challenging outing in the Haskell, while the less experienced Nevada Beach is riding high after a stakes win.

This strong one-two punch is a classic Baffert strategy, boosting his chances of snagging a fifth Pennsylvania Derby and solidifying his legacy of excellence beyond the Triple Crown races. Did you know that this season has brought about a successful partnership between Baffert and Zedan Stables?

Bob Baffert’s success is linked to this team

Bob Baffert and Zedan Stables have hit it off, especially with all the success they had at the 2025 Del Mar meeting. Brant, a $3 million Gun Runner colt, scored a big win in the Del Mar Futurity, which is a huge deal for Baffert as it marks his 19th victory in that race. This win was part of a dominant streak for the Baffert-Zedan team, which also saw them win all four major juvenile races at the Del Mar meeting, including the Del Mar Debutante, Sorrento Stakes, and Best Pal Stakes.

On the same day that Brant won the Futurity, another Zedan juvenile, the $1.05 million colt Boyd, pulled off an impressive 5 1/4-length maiden victory. This highlights the depth of the stable and how well their strategy is working. The ongoing success comes from having a clear, shared goal between the trainer and the owner.

Baffert mentioned, “It’s what we shoot for, developing these young horses,” highlighting the importance of nurturing young talent. They’ve been on a roll with some impressive acquisitions, like snagging a $2.9 million Gun Runner yearling back in August 2025. This keeps the flow of top-notch prospects coming and strengthens a partnership that seems unstoppable in chasing racing success. We’ll just have to wait and see if these young horses will carve out their own place in the future.