This year in horse racing, the spotlight is firmly on Bob Baffert, no matter where you turn! Certainly, the 72-year-old is set to make a notable return at Churchill Downs after his suspension. He aims for his seventh Kentucky Derby victory, yet the path ahead is fraught with challenges. Initially, it appeared that the year would unfold simply for Baffert, but as time progressed, numerous contenders emerged, presenting a significant challenge to the trainer’s horses. Indeed, you were spot on!
Baffert has several racehorses competing on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Recently, Getaway Car delivered a disappointing performance at the Virginia Derby, finishing in fourth place. As a result, Baffert is now focusing on his other horses. So, who exactly are they?
On X, @sdhorserace reported that “Trainer Bob Baffert worked Barnes and Gaming Monday at @santaanitapark. Barnes posted a 6-furlong bullet 1:11.8 (1/4) while Gaming fired a 5-furlong bullet in :59. (1/76). Baffert says he’ll know more next week as to where his Derby contenders will run next.” Barnes and Gaming remains among Baffert’s contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
Remember when Baffert expressed his intention to enter Gaming in the Virginia Derby, stating, “It’s a mile and an eighth, one turn, we’ll give him one more crack at it. The Oaklawn race was horrendous. He didn’t get anything out of that. He’s come back and worked well. He was stuck in the one-hole in each of his last two starts and had disastrous trips. I just want to get him back on track. We know he’s a good horse.”
The previous outing for Gaming at the Southwest Stakes was nothing short of a catastrophe. The horse finished in eighth place in the race, prompting numerous inquiries. However, since Getaway Car did not compete well at the Virginia Derby, it appears that Baffert is contemplating providing Gaming with an ideal opportunity. Gaming also demonstrated impressive performance during the practice session at Santa Anita, clocking in at :59 for his 5-furlong workout.
Trainer Bob Baffert worked Barnes and Gaming Monday at @santaanitapark. Barnes posted a 6-furlong bullet 1:11.8 (1/4) while Gaming fired a 5-furlong bullet in :59. (1/76). Baffert says he’ll know more next week as to where his Derby contenders will run next
@ErnieBPhoto93 pic.twitter.com/aih6shBr5R
— sdhorserace (@sdhorserace) March 20, 2025
Turning our attention to Barnes, the horse has shown impressive performances in his recent races. The three-year-old quickly secured his first victory and subsequently made a notable impression at the San Vicente Stakes. After clinching victory in the race, he went on to achieve a commendable second place at the San Felipe Stakes.
In his most recent workout, Barnes clocked an impressive 1:11.8 in a 6-furlong outing. Barnes and Gaming are both showing promising potential for their upcoming races, and it remains to be seen where Baffert will decide to place them. Nevertheless, the community’s attention has shifted to the horse trainer’s leading contender in the Road to Kentucky Derby, as a particular racing analyst has expressed skepticism regarding the three-year-old colt.
A critical observation on Bob Baffert’s top horse
On the NYRA Bets YouTube channel, analyst Matthew DeSantis offered insights on Bob Baffert’s Citizen Bull, stating, “Citizen Bull continues to be the horse that Baffert certainly is treating like his alpha in the group, and I think some people think that’s misguided, but you know we don’t see what Bob sees in the mornings, and I agree that Citizen Bull largely has gotten things his own way up on the lead very easily out west, uh, throughout the last couple of victories, particularly the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Robert B. Lewis.”
The three-year-old colt currently holds third place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. With 60 points, he trails closely behind Coal Battle and Owen Almighty. According to DeSantis, the horse has yet to face a legitimate competitor, as its recent wins have been relatively effortless for the colt. However, the racing analyst emphasized that the true speed of Citizen Bull remains unknown to the public, positioning him as a potential surprise for the horse trainer.
“Those were easy leads; no pressure, gate to wire on speed-favoring tracks. Can he do it when he’s actually being pressed? Well, you know the question is, where’s he going to be pressed before he goes to the Kentucky Derby? I don’t know because he’s probably going to be running against other Bob Baffert horses and even a horse like Journalism, who is, I think, the top horse coming out of California,” DeSantis commented.
The racing analyst pointed out that those races offered a promising opportunity for a horse like Citizen Bull, who possesses significantly more potential than he has demonstrated in his recent performances. As anticipation builds within the community, there is a palpable excitement surrounding the three-year-old colt as he prepares to face real competition in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby.
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