How many horses could Bob Baffert have in Kentucky Derby? Barnes, Citizen Bull among best
Trainer Bob Baffert talks to media after first time back at Churchill Downs after three-year suspension
After a three-year suspension from Churchill Downs, a happy trainer Bob Baffert says “it’s a glorious day” after he returns and wins his first race back with 2-year-old Barnes.
- Bob Baffert’s Barnes and Rodriguez are the top two choices in the morning line for Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes
- Baffert never has saddled more than three horses in a single Kentucky Derby
After missing the last three Kentucky Derbies because of suspension, trainer Bob Baffert has assembled a talented and deep hand for what appears to be an inevitable return to the Run for the Roses this May.
According to futures odds posted earlier this week by Caesars Sportsbook Nevada, Baffert trains seven of the top 16 contenders for the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
No trainer ever has entered more than five horses in a single Kentucky Derby, with Todd Pletcher doing so twice (2007 and 2013) and Nick Zito (2005) and D. Wayne Lukas (1996) once each.
Baffert never has saddled more than three horses in a Kentucky Derby — doing so in 1999, 2006 and 2019 — but may surpass that mark this spring.
Two of Baffert’s top 3-year-olds — Barnes and Rodriguez — are entered in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The San Felipe offers a total of 105 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, including 50 to the winner.
Baffert has six Kentucky Derby victories, tied with Ben Jones for the most by any trainer.
With nine weeks left until the 151st Kentucky Derby, here’s a look at Baffert’s top contenders, listed in order of their Caesars Sportsbook Nevada futures odds:
The Into Mischief colt made his racing debut at Churchill Downs in November, winning a maiden special weight, and won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes on Jan. 4 at Santa Anita. Saturday’s San Felipe will mark the first race at two turns for the $3.2 million colt.
The 2-year-old champ after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 15-1 odds, Citizen Bull opened his 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 1 at Santa Anita. “The champ is back!” Baffert said after the race. “The ‘Bull’ looked good coming down (the stretch).” Also a son of Into Mischief, Citizen Bull is expected to return to racing April 5 in the $750,000, Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
A son of Authentic, Rodriguez was the runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis, 3 ¾ lengths behind Citizen Bull. He’s the 9-5 second choice in the morning line for Saturday’s San Felipe, behind even-money favorite Barnes.
The son of Curlin is one of Baffert’s most experienced 3-year-olds, sporting a 3-2-0 record in seven career starts. He won the Sunland Park Derby on Feb. 16, but Baffert hasn’t decided on his next start. “The horse is such a sweet little horse,” Baffert told Daily Racing Form after the win. “He’s just got the greatest mind. He showed up today. He’s fun. He’s been a lot of fun.”
The Quality Road colt set the pace in last Saturday’s Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park before getting caught by Coal Battle and finishing second. Baffert has not announced plans for Madaket Road’s next start.
The $1.1 million purchase may be a long shot to make the Kentucky Derby field at this point, but the Into Mischief colt turned heads Saturday in his racing debut at Oaklawn, winning a maiden special weight by 5 ¾ lengths and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 101, the third-highest mark for any 3-year-old this year.
Runner-up to Citizen Bull in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Gaming was a disappointing eighth in his 3-year-old debut, the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on Jan. 25 at Oaklawn. Baffert recently told Daily Racing Form that Gaming could get a shot in another Kentucky Derby prep. “We know he’s a good horse,” Baffert said. “I just need to get him back. I’m trying to figure him out.”
How to watch 2025 Kentucky Derby
Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.
The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.
You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.
What time is the Kentucky Derby?
While not yet official, the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby will be about 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
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Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @KentuckyDerby_CJ
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