Baffert Returns: The Exile's End in the Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- When Bob Baffert arrived at Churchill Downs the previous week, he found two sizable flower displays positioned beside his collection of victory plaques in Barn 33. Curious about their origin, he approached them with assistance from his assistant trainer, Jimmy Barnes, and lightly brushed against a pink rose to ensure they weren’t made of plastic but were indeed genuine blooms.

Now more cautious and somewhat less sociable, the 72-year-old didn’t pause to appreciate the flowers.

The once-bare tan cinder block wall situated behind the floral arrangements had remained desolately empty for the past three years. Missing were the commemorative plaques honoring Baffert’s unprecedented six victories in the Kentucky Derby, his dual Triple Crown triumphs, along with various other significant wins achieved at Churchill Downs. Also notably missing was the recognizable presence of the silver-haired trainer himself. As a result of an imposed exclusion, Churchill Downs—the venue known best for hosting America’s premier horse race—banished this leading force in Thoroughbred racing for three years following the incident involving his 2021 Derby champion, Medina Spirit, testing positive for a banned substance post-race.

This concluded a series of positive drug test results involving Baffert’s horses, which led the track to take strong action against its most prominent figure. In response, Churchill imposed a two-year ban on Baffert. They further extended this period by an additional year seemingly out of resentment when Baffert stayed firm about his lack of apology regarding the disqualification and decided to pursue legal measures against the track.

Last year marked the end of the harshest rivalry in horse racing, as Bob Baffert decided not to pursue his legal case against Churchill Downs and openly acknowledged his role in Medina Spirit’s failed drug test due to betamethasone, a corticosteroid. Following this development, the track rescinded its suspension, paving the way for Baffert's comeback at their facility in Louisville. This reintroduction occurred quietly in November with Baffert entering a two-year-old colt called Barnes into a local competition. To everyone's surprise, Barnes emerged victorious, leading Churchill Downs' chief executive officer, Bill Carstanjen, to embrace his one-time adversary right in the winners’ enclosure.

The atmosphere was charged with détente.

This setup paved the way for the genuine comeback of the prodigal son at this year's 151st Kentucky Derby. Baffert made his initial early-morning presence known during training last Friday, observing his two Derby contenders, Rodriguez and Citizen Bull, work out on the dirt track. However, later that same day, Rodriguez was withdrawn from the competition. Among those present to greet him were several executives from Churchill Downs Incorporated, along with plaques retrieved from storage and potted plants provided by Hess' Landscaping and Nursery.

According to a card placed inside one of the planters, the roses are Double Knock Out varieties. Despite being eliminated from the Derby and becoming a focal point amid ongoing disputes within a contentious sport, the individual who views life with a jaundiced eye received his due recognition in the form of these flowers.

Shady’s back

In 2022 and '23, Bob Baffert viewed the Derbies alongside companions in his former hangout spot of Tucson, Arizona. The previous year, he hosted a Derby gathering at his residence in Southern California. According to him, he didn't feel bitter or remorseful during the viewing sessions.

I continue to love watching all the races and observing specific horses as they compete," Baffert stated. "I remain a devoted follower of this sport—especially with innovations like the new paddock which made its debut at Churchill last year; it’s astounding what they’ve achieved here. The excitement remains intact. In fact, whenever I watched, I felt anxious for the other trainers too. As soon as the horses go behind the starting gate, I experience those familiar flutters.

This year, Baffert will experience nerves in person, despite not having one of his strongest teams this time around. Citizen Bull is listed as a 20-1 underdog, whereas Rodriguez, who won the Wood Memorial, seems like the stronger contender at 12-1 odds. Baffert admitted that Citizen Bull's prospects are hindered by drawing the No. 1 post position on the innermost track, forcing jockey Martin Garcia to push the colt right out of the gate to dodge congestion and stay clear of the rail. This strategy might result in extremely rapid initial speeds. Should the opening half-mile be completed in just 45 seconds, it’s likely that those leading the pack will tire quickly.

I’ll keep a closer eye on the clock rather than focusing on the race," Baffert stated. "From the paddock, I observe the race, and if something seems off, I quickly head towards that vehicle, directly through the parking area. I’m gone.

That's a classic Baffort quip from previous Derbies, back when he seldom needed to quietly exit following poor performances. Usually, he was either clinching victory or ending up in a strong position (with three second-place finishes and three third-place finishes along with his six victories and the disqualified first-place finisher). Leading up to the main event each year, Barn 33 became the go-to spot for both fans and reporters, where Baffert would happily entertain them with witty remarks and picture-taking opportunities.

This year is somewhat distinct. Although the crowd remains sizable, the focus of everyone's attention seems less accessible. Interviews have become briefer and less frequent compared to the regular daily discussions from past spring seasons. Even Baffert’s outgoing brother Bill has remained mostly withdrawn. Over recent years, Baffert has faced numerous criticisms which have affected him deeply; he used to revel greatly in his fame at Louisville.

You know he got a three-year suspension," a man said to two companions near Barn 33 on Thursday. "Many folks believe he pushes the limits quite often. Initially, he faced a two-year ban, but then Churchill extended it with an additional year. This is really significant. He’s the top dog around here.

The prominent figure has turned into a major target for criticism. On Saturday evening, during the post-position draw, Baffert faced jeers. He was also upset by a critical article published online earlier in the week. Despite attempts to move forward positively, with statements suggesting that the suspension should be left in the past, understanding and acceptance remain elusive.

Nonetheless, a key figure in horse racing offers commendable remarks about Baffert. Lisa Lazarus serves as the CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), a body funded by the industry that monitors equine fatalities, injuries, and medication oversights, amongst other aspects. The anti-doping initiative under HISA was established two years following Baffert’s disqualification of Medina Spirit, and Lazarus states that his track record has remained unblemished during her tenure.

Bob Baffert is among the prominent trainers who doesn’t have so much as a minor blemish on his record," Lazarus states. "Many trainers encounter errors, but he hasn’t had any.

Lazarus highlights an important difference that has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Baffert’s suspension: Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, which is a regulated medication permitted for use in racehorses as long as it clears their system before racing. According to present regulations, Baffert would face merely a monetary penalty rather than a suspension.

It is not considered doping," Lazarus states. "It is merely an excess of medication.

However, this incident also broke the regulations and could have resulted in suspension according to the rules back then. This occurred shortly after two prominent Bob Baffert-trained horses, Charlatan and Gamine, had tested positive for lidocaine in 2020 during races in Arkansas. These earlier incidents led to Baffert receiving a suspension which was subsequently reversed and replaced with fines instead. Additionally, Gamine faced another positive test for betamethasone following her performance in the 2020 Kentucky Oaks. leading to being disqualified from third place And a minor penalty for Baffert.

The surge in positive tests over a brief timeframe eroded the faith of numerous spectators and fellow equestrians.

For years, the sport has grappled with doping issues and faced severe backlash over horse injuries. As a result, Baffert became synonymous with many of the problems plaguing thoroughbred racing, despite not fully embodying all of these shortcomings. Statistics from HISA indicate that racehorse fatality rates have significantly decreased, dropping by approximately one death per week at each U.S. racetrack—a positive development though far from complete success. Regardless of his clean slate under HISA regulations, Baffert's comeback to the Kentucky Derby continues to provoke critics within the equestrian community.

“At HISA, we strongly feel that once you have completed your sentence, you should be given an opportunity to return with a fresh start,” Lazarus explains.

At Churchill Downs, Baffert has been greeted with warm welcomes from his peers. Mark Casse, who trains the third-favorite Sandman, spent considerable time chatting in Baffert’s stall. Bill Mott, whose horse Sovereignty is the runner-up favorite, came over on horseback just to greet him personally. Notably, even D. Wayne Lukas, an 89-year-old legend with 15 Triple Crown wins under his belt, continues to be a staunch supporter of Baffert despite their intense rivalry during the '90s.

Lukas states, "He fits right into this place. He represents everything we stand for. For the past three years, I've maintained that his suspension was unjustified. However, I also understand Churchill’s perspective on the matter. Having him return is truly excellent."

Back at Barn 33

In 1996, Bob Baffert experienced his initial Kentucky Derby with heartbreak when his horse Cavonnier lost by just a nose at the finish line to Grindstone, trained by Lukas. Following this close loss, the ex-quarterhorse trainer found himself standing on the Churchill Downs paddock bricks, overcome by emotions and questioning whether he would return again.

The following year, Baffert returned triumphantly, securing victory in the Kentucky Derby with Silver Charm. This horse went on to claim the Preakness Stakes but faltered during the Belmont Stretch, narrowly missing out on the coveted Triple Crown title. In 1998, his success reached new heights as he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness with another remarkable find—Real Quiet—but ultimately fell short when beaten by Victory Gallop in the final leg of the series. His rapid ascent brought throngs of devoted followers and eager breeders alike. Three years later, in 2002, he clinched yet another Derby victory with War Emblem. Over time, Baffert cemented himself as an iconic figure within America’s premier racing event.

My fondest recollections are of the Kentucky Derby," he stated. "They will forever remain so.

A dozen years after his initial triumph, Baffert secured victory at the Kentucky Derby and ended a 37-year-long wait for aTriple Crown title with American Pharaoh. This was succeeded by another success when Justify won him a second Triple Crown crown in 2018. Recognized as the premier horse trainer in the long-standing tradition of this sport, he strengthened his position atop that ranking by clinching the delayed Derby championship in September 2020 with Authentic amidst the pandemic.

However, by 2021, the positive tests began tarnishing his legacy. The Medina Spirit scandal followed—a major doping disqualification in Derby history that cost Baffert his record-breaking seventh Derby championship. This led him to go into exile, leaving the Derby without one of its most notable figures. to a weird place where bizarre outcomes continued to occur.

Having him return to Barn 33, adorned with the usual accolades, brings a sense of familiarity to the competition and injects fresh vitality into the game. However, this well-known narrative from Baffert carries greater complexity these days. Shady has returned to an environment where he has been celebrated and condemned alike, poised for another act in his journey.

This piece was initially released on www.si.com as The Exile Concludes: Bob Baffert Returns to the Kentucky Derby .

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