The legendary coach Bob Baffert returns to Kentucky Derby after an absence of three years in the most prestigious horse race in the world.
Buffet was slapped with a two -year suspension by Churchill Downs after the 2021 derby after his horse, “Medina Spirit”, was tested positive for a prohibited substance. After trying to prosecute Churchill Downs, Baffert received a prolonged suspension in 2023. Then, in 2024, Churchill Downs finally lifted his prohibition to slave, paving the way to his next return to “Run for the Roses”.
However, the 72 -year -old coach received bad news on Thursday because one of his two entries was scratched from the derby.
“Rodriguez”, a three -year -old foal formed by Baffert and held by Starlight Racing, has been removed from the list of entries due to a foot problem.
“By an abundance of prudence, we have made a very difficult decision to scratch our Horse Derby, Rodriguez,” common Tom Ryan of Starlight Racing in a post on X.
“He has a small but slightly sensitive to a foot that will need a few more days. Therefore, we reset our plans and target it for the Preakness.”
With this development, Baffet is found with “Citizen Bull” as his only hope to give him a victory for Kentucky Derby in 2025. Buffet is tied for the most victories of derby of all time By a coach with Ben Jones, who also won six victories during the first stage of the triple crown between 1938 and 1952.
Citizen Bull is Get out of a fourth place in Grade 1 stakes 2025 Santa Anita Derby last April. Before that, he won two issues of grade 1 in a row, first ending at 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 2025 Robert B. Lewis.
Replacement of Rodriguez, “Baeza” will be part of the race on Saturday.
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