Bob Baffert is aiming for his seventh Kentucky Derby victory in the upcoming weeks. He has certainly faced considerable competition in the preparatory races leading up to the Run for the Roses. You know what? The competition remains fierce, despite the conclusion of the preparatory races for the prestigious event. How? Currently, some racetracks remain accessible to trainers, who are concentrating on the workouts of their horses.
On X, TDN reported a story regarding one of Bob Baffert’s competitor horses, noting, “GI @KentuckyDerby contender CHUNK OF GOLD (inside), a runner-up in both the GII Louisiana Derby and GII Risen Star Stakes, breezed Saturday morning at @TurfwayPark. The son of Preservationist had a strong five-furlong move in :59.40 (1/18) with @jareth16 in the irons for trainer @EWest592.”
Chunk of Gold is displaying remarkable form, and that workout time is notably swift and commendable, particularly for a contender in the Kentucky Derby. An examination of the Kentucky Derby standings reveals that the horse positioned at number 10 has accumulated 75 points. However, circumstances can shift at Churchill Downs in a matter of weeks, especially given his performance in this specific workout. Chunk of Gold completed a five-furlong workout, clocking in at 59.40 seconds.
The time recorded was the quickest among 18 horses that covered the same distance that morning at Turfway Park. Completing a five-furlong breeze in under 1 minute is quite impressive, particularly since it was merely a workout rather than a competitive race. For those familiar with the three-year-old colt’s background, Chunk of Gold secured second place in both the G2 Risen Star and G2 Louisiana Derby, establishing him as a credible contender.
GI @KentuckyDerby contender CHUNK OF GOLD (inside), a runner-up in both the GII Louisiana Derby and GII Risen Star Stakes, breezed Saturday morning at @TurfwayPark. The son of Preservationist had a strong five-furlong move in :59.40 (1/18) with @jareth16 in the irons for trainer… pic.twitter.com/e6PjPegw8r
— TDN (@theTDN) April 12, 2025
This workout clearly demonstrates that he is in top form as he approaches the Run for the Roses. Undoubtedly, he will present a formidable challenge for Bob Baffert. Are you aware that the 72-year-old trainer is poised for a challenge this season?
Bob Baffert opens up on the ongoing competition
During the 2025 horse racing season, Bob Baffert has encountered numerous challengers. While Citizen Bull held the lead in the Kentucky Derby standings for the initial months, he was quickly surpassed by several competitors. Following the preparatory races, Baffert’s two contenders, Citizen Bull and Rodriguez, have successfully clinched their positions for the Run for the Roses. What insights has the 72-year-old trainer shared regarding the competition?
“This is a very exciting time of year for horse racing, and I’m just glad that I’m, at least I have a dog in the fight, you know, you don’t know, you know, and so you don’t know until that last prep, you know, that can either, it can either go really well, or it can just be, you know, the disappointments, you know, but we’re always prepared for the disappointment, right, because the great Charlie Whittingham said, you know, expect the worst, hope for the best attitude, and you won’t go crazy in this game, so there’s a lot of highs and lows,” remarked Bob Baffert.
The horse trainer conveyed a sense of contentment regarding the present competitive environment. He is making a comeback for that coveted title following a suspension, wholeheartedly accepting the challenges that the sport has thrown his way. Furthermore, the 72-year-old has acknowledged the intrinsic unpredictability of the sport. Indeed, various factors contribute, and even a single workout can greatly influence a horse’s performance. Only time will tell how his comeback season really unfolds.
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