Lest anybody suppose the seventh race at Churchill Downs Nov. 27 was only a routine maiden race, one solely wanted to look within the paddock or trackside for these in attendance.
Churchill Downs Inc. executives Invoice Carstanjen and Invoice Mudd had been on-site, not on the customary CDI headquarters in japanese Louisville, Ky., and native media assembled to seize video of the race and the race individuals—wanting to catch one attendee specifically: coach Bob Baffert.
For the primary time because the spring of 2021, when he started serving what was finally greater than a three-year suspension by monitor operator CDI, the Corridor of Famer was again racing a horse at Churchill Downs.Â
Again within the winner’s circle, too, because of a decided effort from the Zedan Racing Stables’ Barnes , who, in his profession debut, ran down a extra seasoned maiden in Innovator , skilled by Corridor of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, to prevail by a head below Martin Garcia.
Watch: Baffert Calls Return to Churchill ‘A Wonderful Day’Join BloodHorse Every day
“I had flashbacks of Cavonnier in 1996,” Baffert quipped, hinting he feared his horse had misplaced by a nostril to a Lukas-trained colt.
That yr, Lukas’ Grindstone rallied down the middle of the monitor to nip the Baffert-trained Cavonnier by a nostril within the 1996 Kentucky Derby (G1). Baffert puzzled on the time if his Derby alternative might need been misplaced. As an alternative, he would win the Derby six occasions, tying the late Ben Jones for many in Derby historical past. Baffert would additionally seize two Triple Crowns with American Pharoah  and Justify  .
Medina Spirit, who crossed the wire first in 2021 for Baffert and Zedan, had appeared prone to depart Baffert alone atop the document books, however his postrace disqualification from the Derby for the prohibited race-day presence of the corticosteroid betamethasone in his system, wiped away what would have been a seventh Derby win for the coach.
The postrace optimistic and subsequent lawsuits left Baffert on the outs with CDI, who considered Baffert as having tarnished its signature race. Baffert additionally had different equine drug violations main as much as the 2021 Derby, together with Gamine , who was disqualified from third within the 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1). These collective violations led the Kentucky Horse Racing Fee to advantageous him $7,500 and problem him a 90-day suspension, which was utilized throughout the nation, not simply at CDI-owned tracks.
Baffert and CDI executives all appeared able to put the suspension and drugs infractions up to now Wednesday. Baffert shipped the 2-year-old Into Mischief  colt to Churchill Downs final week from his Southern California base at Santa Anita Park.Â
Carstanjen, CDI’s CEO, congratulated Baffert with a handshake after the race. Carstanjen stated he can be at Churchill Downs most days this week, “However I positively needed to come back out and personally welcome him again.”
Picture: Byron KingHall of Fame coach Bob Baffert (left), Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Invoice Carstanjen (far proper), and different onlookers smile after the coach’s victory with Barnes at Churchill Downs
Baffert stated he additionally acquired a heat reception from staff on the monitor. He praised facility enhancements made at Churchill within the years since he has been away, together with within the paddock space.
Becoming a member of the California-based Baffert in a crowded winner’s circle was his spouse Jill and different household, plus supporters resembling bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, who signed for the acquisition of Barnes when he bought for $3.2 million at Fasig-Tipton’s The Saratoga Sale final summer time. One of many few lacking was trusted Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes, after whom Amr Zedan of Zedan Racing Steady named the colt.
Baffert joked with Garcia that the jockey had “a thousand kilos of weight on his shoulders down the stretch.”
Garcia additionally seemingly felt the burden of a tough journey. Drawn towards the within, his mount was shuffled again when in tight down the backstretch, then took filth in his face behind pacesetting Innovator. Angled out within the stretch for a transparent path, he determinedly reduce into the chief’s benefit to stand up within the ultimate strides of the 5 1/2-furlong race regardless of drifting out and swapping his leads.
Barnes was timed on a quick monitor in 1:02.97 and paid $2.68 to win as the favourite. He earned $69,000 for profitable the $120,765 maiden race.
“So it was simply good to be again within the swing of issues, and in Kentucky, horse racing is large proper now due to the purses. The perfect horses are right here in Kentucky,” Baffert stated. “And I knew if I am to form of come right here, I will convey a extremely critical 2-year-old and I did.”
Barnes, bred by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, is an attention-grabbing juvenile out of the American Pharoah mare All American Dream .
Again in enterprise at Churchill Downs, Baffert can now set his sights on the 2025 Kentucky Derby with Barnes and different prime horses in his barn, resembling Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) 1-2 finishers Citizen Bull and Gaming .
“We all know (Barnes) likes Churchill Down, however I believe the opposite ones are going to love it additionally. So hopefully we are able to maintain them wholesome and hope we’re right here for the primary Saturday in Could.”
