Three in the crowd
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For nearly 20 years, three trainers have compiled an incredible record at the Kentucky Derby.
Two are in racing’s Hall of Fame: D. Wayne Lukas, with four Derby wins from a record 42 starters, and Nick Zito, who’s won it twice out of 19 entries.
But only one, three-time winner Bob Baffert, has a chance to win this year’s $2 million race.
The white-haired trainer with 14 starts here sends a potent trio of 3-year-old colts to the gates on Saturday – Wood Memorial winner Bob and John, Blue Grass Stakes winner Sinister Minister and Santa Anita Derby runner-up Point Determined.
Each has different running styles, and depending how the Derby unfolds when the field takes off, any one is capable of giving Baffert win No. 4.
“You always want to come to the Derby with a good horse,” Baffert said Tuesday outside Barn 33 after arriving from California. “And we’re back here now with three really good horses. It feels nice.”
A year ago, Zito sent out a record-tying five horses, including favorite Bellamy Road. That horse finished seventh – the best among Zito’s group.
Zito had plenty of prospects this year, but none came through in the Derby preps.
As Zito watched a dozen Derby contenders work out at Churchill Downs the other morning, it hit him hard: “It was kind of an empty feeling, a weird feeling. For me, it was like a little bit of anxiety.”
Lukas, meanwhile, didn’t have a serious Derby contender, and will miss the race for the third time in six years after a record run of 20 straight.
This year, Baffert’s all in. While the early part of Derby week has focused on the trainers of favorites Brother Derek and Barbaro, there will be much attention paid to Baffert, who has been nearly ignored the past three Derbies – with good reason.
In 2003, Indian Charlie was 14th at 10-1; Wimbledon was scratched the day before the 2004 Derby; and Sort It Out was 17th at 61-1 last year.
“The last few years, we were just trying to get there,” Baffert said, “just trying to stay in the show.”
From 1997-02, though, Baffert was the show. He won two thirds of the Triple Crown an astounding four times – the Derby and Preakness with Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002), and the Preakness and Belmont Stakes with Point Given (2001).
He could go on another Triple Crown roll.
“It makes you feel good when you win those major preps,” Baffert said as he and his wife, Jill, took turns making sure their 16-month-old son, Bode, didn’t toddle off to trouble near the barn.
“It makes you feel like you have a legitimate chance. It’s just that I’ve been getting better horses. I’m in a good place, and I have good 3-year-olds.”
Stonerside Stable’s Bob McNair (owner of the Houston Texans) sent Bob and John to Baffert last July. Sinister Minister was bought for Terry Lanni, Ernie Moody and Bernie Schiappa earlier this year. Point Determined was sent his way after the late Bob Lewis, and his wife, Beverly, bought the colt for $750,000.