With the Kentucky Derby just a few months away, the horse racing community is eagerly anticipating the numerous contenders in the race. A significant number of these competitors are currently under the guidance of Bob Baffert, who is set to return to Churchill Downs after serving a two-year suspension due to the drug test failure of Medina Spirit.
“We are satisfied that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a substantial penalty, and is committed to running in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward,” stated CDI’s CEO Bill Carstanjen following the decision to lift Baffert’s ban. “All parties agree that it is time to bring this chapter to a close and focus on the future. Mr. Baffert is welcome to return to any of CDI’s racetracks, including our flagship Churchill Downs Racetrack, and we wish him and his connections good luck in their future competitive endeavors.”
Having an individual of Baffert’s stature in the sport has always been an honor, yet his reputation has faced challenges due to certain incidents. He is now poised for a chance at redemption on the racecourse. Amidst a competitive field of American contenders vying for the Road to Kentucky Derby, a notable distant relative from Japan has recently claimed victory. Indeed, I’m referring to Luxor Cafe, the victor of the Hyacinth Stakes in Japan.
Now, if the fans aren’t familiar with the three-year-old colt, do you recall American Pharoah? The significance of the horse trained by Baffert was unprecedented, as he ended a 37-year Triple Crown drought and became the first horse to achieve the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Racing in 2015, following his victory in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. And Luxor Cafe is his son.
The three-year-old colt’s victory at the Hyacinth Stakes serves as a powerful statement, propelling him to the forefront of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby with a current total of 30 points. Which other contenders are pursuing Luxor Cafe in this competition for the initial leg of the American Triple Crown? Myriad Love and Promised Gene currently hold 20 and 15 points, respectively, in the Japan Road to Kentucky Derby standings.
2025 Hyacinth Stakes (Listed)
ᴄ͟ᴏ͟ᴜ͟ʀ͟s͟ᴇ͟: Tokyo (1,600m)
ᴡ͟ɪ͟ɴ͟ɴ͟ᴇ͟ʀ͟: Luxor Cafe
s͟ɪ͟ʀ͟ᴇ͟: American Pharoah
ᴅ͟ᴀ͟ᴍ͟: Mary’s Follies
ᴅ͟ᴀ͟ᴍ͟s͟ s͟ɪ͟ʀ͟ᴇ͟: More Than Ready
ᴊ͟ᴏ͟ᴄ͟ᴋ͟ᴇ͟ʏ͟: Rachel Kingpic.twitter.com/89g68oHXSF
— ᴶᵁᴺ (@tetrarch1911) February 23, 2025
What was the overall impression of Luxor Cafe? After the race, Rachel King, who made history as the first female jockey to compete in a Japanese G1 event, remarked, “[It was my] first time sitting on him but I was given lots of information from his trainer and the team-previous jockeys as well. I have done all my homework and he is a very straightforward horse who can keep progressing even from today.”
It was undoubtedly a significant moment, and the offspring of American Pharoah performed exactly as anticipated. Although the colt may not have a direct connection to Bob Baffert’s renowned stable of racehorses, there is a possibility he could encounter the trainer’s top contenders in the months leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Bob Baffert’s possible Kentucky Derby contender
The relationship between Bob Baffert and the Kentucky Derby is a timeless narrative. Enthusiasts of horse racing might recognize the six victories he has secured between 1997 and 2020. Among those triumphs, two of his horses, American Pharoah and Justify, have secured the American Triple Crown, establishing him as one of the most esteemed trainers in the field.
This year marks his return to action following a two-year suspension, and he has already secured the top position among American thoroughbreds. Indeed, I’m referring to Citizen Bull, who boasts an impressive 60 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. And if you find yourself questioning how? Allow me to provide you with a more detailed perspective.
The mathematics is straightforward, tracing its beginnings to the American Pharoah Stakes on October 5, 2024. Following his victory in the prestigious Santa Anita Grade 1 race, Citizen Bull was awarded 10 points. The most significant race that followed was the Breeders’ Cup juvenile. Indeed, it was Citizen Bull who emerged victorious, amassing an impressive total of 30 points.
The colt effortlessly secured the final 20 points in this year’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes, clinching a decisive victory. What does Baffert have to say about his horse? “The champ is back. It’s funny; you see him and you don’t realize that he has those gears. He won’t show you that in the morning, but he does have gear,” remarked the esteemed horse racing trainer. As the months progress, it remains to be seen how he will perform in the competition with the other three-year-olds.
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