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Baffert Ready For ‘Change Of Scenery’ As Del Mar Meet Kicks Off Friday

The Del Mar racing season, which starts Friday, represents “a breath of fresh air,” for Southern California Thoroughbred racing in 2020 in the opinion of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert,

“We needed a change of scenery – drastically,” Baffert, 67, said by phone Wednesday, anticipating his 32nd season here. Baffert and his fellow horsemen venture south following a Santa Anita winter/spring season interrupted and a Triple Crown Series turned inside out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baffert's batch of 3-year-olds with supreme Kentucky Derby potential – judged even deeper than usual this year – had their numbers trimmed by injury and other circumstances during a spring of discontent. But with the arrival of summer, and the postponement of the Kentucky Derby from the first Saturday in May to the first Saturday in September, Baffert remains a strong candidate to win a sixth Run For The Roses.

Over the years here Baffert has gone from winning training titles (seven straight from 1997-2003) to focusing on stakes and especially showcasing stars in the 2-year-old (14 Futurity, 8 Debutante winners) and Handicap divisions (5 Pacific Classics).

More of the same would appear in store this summer. But Baffert said the cooler and fresher air here would feel even better if it were breathed – albeit through a mask – with the owners who provide him the stars of his stable. Like most tracks around the country, Del Mar's season will operate, to begin at least, without spectators in the stands in accordance with protocols agreed upon with the San Diego County Board of Health and other governmental authorities.

A bevy of Baffert's stars are already stabled at Del Mar with potential to run this summer.

Scheduled first is Maximum Security in the $150,000 Grade II San Diego Handicap on July 18. Maximum Security, transferred to Baffert's care in March, was first under the wire in the 2019 Kentucky Derby before being disqualified. The New Year's Day colt rebounded with victories in the Grade I Haskell Invitational and Cigar Mile in a three-win streak from July to December and was voted an Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old of the year.

“He looks great, he shipped down from Santa Anita well and he'll work this weekend,” Baffert said.

The San Diego Handicap is a traditional stepping stone to the TVG Pacific Classic, a race Baffert mentioned as a potential start for McKinzie, who shipped here from New York following a disappointing effort in the recent Met Mile at Belmont Park. The loss of two shoes during the race provides a major Met Mile explanation, Baffert said.

The rescheduling of the Kentucky Derby means that Del Mar will have a Derby prep race for the first time in history. That's the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes on August 1. Baffert has Cezanne and Uncle Chuck, impressive recent winners at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos, here. “I'll definitely run one,” Baffert said.

Never short on talented 2-year-olds, Baffert declined to single any out as Debutante or Futurity prospects at this time.

“It's too early. I'm a little bit behind with them right now,” Baffert said.

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‘Our Only Chance To Bring A Level Playing Field To Racing’: Hall Of Famer Mark Casse Joins WHOA

Mark E. Casse, one of the newest members of the National Museum of Racings Hall of Fame has joined the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA). Successful in both the United States and Canada, Casse has won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Trainer in Canada a record 12 times and was inducted into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame in 2016.

Mr. Casse remarked in his statement to WHOA, “After much thought, I have decided to join the WHOA. I continue to be frustrated by the lack of uniformity in our industry, and I know that WHOA is a big supporter of the Horseracing Integrity Act, as am I. It is my belief that it is our only chance to bring a level playing field to racing.”

Even in these uncertain times, WHOA continues to lobby for the Horseracing Integrity Act (HR1754/S1820). Support is growing with 253 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 25 cosponsors in the Senate. The racing industry needs to band together and get behind passage of the bill in the 116th Congress. Support from racing leaders like Mark Casse is imperative to the effort.

Casse has trained Eclipse Award winners Classic Empire, Shamrock Rose, Tepin, and World Approval, as well as Canadian Horse of the Year honorees Catch a Glimpse, Lexie Lou, Sealy Hill, Uncaptured, and Wonder Gadot. He has won a total of seven races in the Canadian Triple Crown series, five Breeders' Cup races, and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot with Tepin. Casse has trained 18 horses that have won $1 million or more and has been the leading trainer at Woodbine (11 times), Turfway (four times), Keeneland (three times), and Churchill Downs (twice).

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National Museum Of Racing Resumes Construction On New Hall Of Fame Education Experience

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. recently resumed construction on the new Hall of Fame Education Experience after a two-month delay because of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent “New York State on PAUSE” executive order.

The Museum, which has been closed for the renovations since January, was originally scheduled to open to the public on July 16 coinciding with opening day at Saratoga Race Course. A new opening date for the Museum will be announced later this summer.

“We're excited that we are able to move forward with the Hall of Fame Education Experience,” said Cate Johnson, the Museum's director. “This is an important project for the Museum and the sport of thoroughbred racing and we look forward to sharing it with everyone as soon as possible. The work is going well and we are adhering to all state regulations and best practices related to health and safety.”

The Hall of Fame Education Experience will feature a reimagined and dynamic new Hall of Fame, including a state-of-the-art signature film and cutting-edge interactive Hall of Fame digital plaques. The new digital inductee plaques will include an in-depth multi-media look at the lives and careers of each human and equine member of the Hall of Fame. The project also includes a complete renovation of the adjoining Race Day Gallery and other updates throughout the Museum.

The new Hall of Fame will inspire existing and new fans through the understanding of the deep level of mastery of craft required of thoroughbreds, jockeys, trainers, owners, and breeders to reach the highest levels of the sport, as well as establish a new standard for dramatic and immersive interactive experiences throughout the Museum.

To date, the Museum has raised more than $13 million toward the Hall of Fame Education Experience, which was announced in August 2018. The project's campaign goal is $20 million. For more information or to donate to the Hall of Fame Education Experience, please visit: https://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-fame-education-experience-campaign

To learn more or donate by phone, please contact project manager Cathy Marino at (518) 584-0400 ext. 112 or you can donate by check to:

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Attn: Hall of Fame Education Experience
191 Union Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

For a closer look at the Museum's vision for the new Hall of Fame Experience, please visit www.racingmuseum.org then click on “more information” and play the informational video on the landing page.

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