Bob Baffert, the legendary trainer, was a no-show at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, because of unforeseen drug-addled circumstances. This is because, in July 2023, Churchill Downs added another year to Baffert’s two-year suspension from the race. Baffert was initially suspended after 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, trained by him, failed a post-race drug test because of positive amounts of Betamethasone medication found.

Apart from Medina Spirit’s failed test in 2021, Baffert’s horses have been linked to at least 30 other failed drug tests in the last four decades. Around five of those were concentrated in 13 months around 2021. Bob Baffert is gearing up for the upcoming Preakness Stakes, a sure shot at redemption. Last year, he clinched victory with National Treasure, notching up his eighth Preakness triumph. It was a bittersweet moment, though, as Havnameltdown, another of his horses, suffered a fatal injury on the same day. Despite the setback, Baffert is optimistic and aiming for another win this year. What’s in store for him?

Bob Baffert is aiming to take home the middle jewel victory

According to the report in the Courier Journal, though Bob Baffert has had 17 triple crown wins, his career is mired with controversy. Because of being banned, he was a no-show at the Kentucky Derby, but he will be vying for the second leg of the triple crown races, Preakness Stakes, in Baltimore later this month. He has two horses in the race shipped in from California, Muth, and Imagination, and is aiming for the middle jewel with a 2 million dollar reward. His chances are good, as Muth was the winner of the Arkansas Derby and is expected to be a favorite at Pimlico.

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The Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be an exciting event with some top-notch horses in the lineup. Amongst the other horses who are set to compete and have already competed in the Kentucky Derby is Just Steel. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the horse has already won 6 Preakness Stakes in the past and placed 6th at the Kentucky Derby. Other than this, several horses in consideration are Seize the Grey, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, who won the Pat Day Mile, and Informed Patriot, trained by Steve Asmussen, who won the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

It adds an extra layer of competition and anticipation as fans eagerly await to see if Derby’s top performers will continue their winning streak or face new challengers on the Pimlico Race Course. Even Copper Tax and Uncle Heavy are speculated to compete; Bob’s track record suggests he’s a formidable contender, promising an exciting rivalry with a top contender at the upcoming event.

Could Bob Baffert dethrone Kenny McPeek if given the chance?

One of Baffert’s competitors, Kenny McPeek, still needs to commit to running his horse Mystik Dan, who is the Kentucky Derby winner, in the upcoming Preakness Stakes. McPeek stated that he is “unsure about Baltimore” and wants to observe how Mystik Dan recovers over the next week before determining if the two-week turnaround to the Preakness would be too much to handle. He is most likely aiming for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga in June. 

In a previous race, Baffert’s ​Muth had defeated Mystik Dan in the Arkansas Derby. So, it is possible that if both horses compete, Muth might be able to beat Mystik Dan in Baltimore. The potential presence of Baffert’s well-rested horses could pose a significant challenge for Mystik Dan, who would be coming off the Kentucky Derby. This also opens up the question that if Baffert’s horses had been allowed to enter in the race, they could have defeated Mystik Dan and placed first. However, since most of Baffert’s horses win in Preakness, Mystik Dan’s Kentucky win cannot be dismissed easily.