Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

A21
SPORTS Friday 4 May 2018

Baffert back at

Kentucky Derby

with another favorite

By BETH HARRIS Like Justify, Bodemeister
AP Racing Writer didn't race as a 2-year-old.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Bob He set a blistering pace
Baffert is back at the Ken- and led the Derby until
tucky Derby with early fa- the final 150 yards when I'll
vorite Justify after watch- Have Another overtook him
ing the race from his sofa to win by 1 ½ lengths.
in Southern California last Magnum Moon, the 6-1
year. third choice, also is un-
The Hall of Fame trainer's beaten and didn't run as a
ability to produce Derby 2-year-old.
contenders year after year "It's going to happen,"
is an enviable feat and Baffert said, referring to
why his absence a year the curse being broken.
ago stood out. It was just "Whether it happens this
his second since 2009 and year or whatever, but it will
occurred because his lone happen because Bode-
candidate got hurt. meister almost got away
Baffert will saddle Justify with it. But I don't really wor-
and 30-1 shot Solomini in ry about that."
Saturday's Derby. Baffert almost had a third
Justify is one of the green- starter this year until McK-
est colts Baffert has brought inzie developed a hind end
to Churchill Downs. He's issue that knocked him off
won all three of his starts the Derby trail.
by a combined 19 lengths. "When McKinzie got hurt,
If Justify wins, he'd be the I wanted to throw up," he Trainer Bob Baffert watches a morning workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Lou-
first to do so since Apollo said. "I really think McKinzie isville, Ky.
in 1882 without racing as a would probably be second Associated Press
2-year-old. choice here. We'd really
"The thing about the Ken- have a 1-2 here." give up," the white-haired The colt swept the Derby, Baffert said.
tucky Derby, you have to Justify cleared the biggest trainer said. "I'm constantly Preakness and Belmont to Early on, Baffert knew Jus-
have the right horse. It just pre-Derby hurdle by draw- meeting people. They're become racing's first Triple tify had the goods.
happens. You can't force ing the No. 7 post. Jockey sending me horses. If you Crown winner in 37 years. "The first time I worked him
it," Baffert said. "All of a Mike Smith can use the don't have success, you're Baffert has compared Jus- at Santa Anita, I knew he
sudden, you have good colt's early speed to posi- not going to get those op- tify to American Pharoah, was a really good horse,"
horses and you're there. So tion him well for the long portunities." citing the colt's imposing he said. "The track was re-
I've been really fortunate run to the chaotic first turn. After a successful run in the physical presence and big ally deep that morning,
to have some really good Solomini ended up in the quarterhorse ranks, Baffert stride. Still, Justify has yet and he went around there
horses." No. 17 post; no horse has switched to thoroughbreds. to encounter the kind of effortlessly. His first race, he
Baffert's four victories are ever won from there. He started with one horse. traffic the Derby's 20-horse ran incredibly and showed
tied for second-most in Baffert turned 65 in Janu- "After 25 years, I'm finally stampede creates and the how special he was."
Derby history. He's finished ary, making him eligible for getting horses that I don't talent as he'll run against on That kind of intuition is what
second three times, too, in- Medicare and retirement have to buy," he said. "The Saturday. separates Baffert from his
cluding in 2012 with Bode- at most other jobs. How- big guys are sending me "I'd rather have a really rivals, fellow Hall of Famer
meister, also the last time ever, he entertains no such horses." talented horse than one trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.
he had two starters in the thoughts. None was bigger than who's seasoned and just on "Bob's got a great feel for
same year. "I work hard at it. I just don't American Pharoah in 2015. par with the rest of them," it," he said.q