Embattled trainer Bob Baffert has had four Kentucky Derby hopefuls transferred to other trainers, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. The news follows the decision earlier this week that Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate sided with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) and denied Baffert's bid to overturn the commission's refusal to issue a stay of his suspension.
Former Baffert assistant Tim Yakteen will take over the care of Messier, Doppelgänger, and McLaren Vale, while Blackadder will head to Kentucky for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.
“These are all good horses and they deserve to go,” Baffert told the LA Times. “It's just such a great race, both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. It's great for the fans and the sport. The fans deserve to see these horses run.”
Baffert-trained horses have been ineligible to earn points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby owing to Churchill Downs' two-year suspension of the Hall of Fame trainer from its properties. The suspension stems from a medication violation involving his 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who was officially disqualified from that win on Feb. 21, 2022.
Baffert was also handed a 90-day suspension by the KHRC as a result of the disqualification of Medina Spirit, which the trainer could begin serving on April 4, according to Judge Wingate's ruling. The 90-day suspension would be reciprocated by other states, and per California regulation, could require Baffert to remove his signage and equipment from his barns at his home base at Santa Anita Park and send horses to be conditioned by someone other than his assistant training staff.
The future plans for the four transferred 3-year-olds are expected to be as follows:
- Messier, 15-length winner of the G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, will point to the G1 Santa Anita Derby on April 9. He is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm.
- Doppelganger, second in the G2 San Felipe, could head to the G1 Arkansas Derby on April 2. He is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm.
- McLaren Vale, third in the G2 San Felipe, whose next start has not yet been decided on. He is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm.
- Blackadder, winner of the El Camino Real Derby, could target either the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway on April 2 or the G1 Blue Grass on April 9 at Keeneland. He is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm.
Other Baffert-trained 3-year-olds not mentioned in the LA Times story include:
- G3 Southwest winner Newgrange, owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm.
- G2 UAE Derby entrant Pinehurst, owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm
- G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Corniche, owned by Speedway Stables (has not resumed breezing after his Breeders' Cup win)
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