By Steve Sherack
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bob Baffert stood in front of Barn 33–covered once again with green-and-white plaques celebrating his six GI Kentucky Derby winners and three GI Kentucky Oaks winners– and held court with the media and posed for pictures with fans on a humid Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.
Following a well-documented, three-year suspension following the medication disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, it was business as usual for the Hall of Fame trainer, who will make his highly anticipated return beneath the Twin Spires this weekend with Tenma (Nyquist) in the Kentucky Oaks and champion 2-year-old colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) in the Kentucky Derby.
He will also saddle the comebacking, unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) in a loaded renewal of the GI Churchill Downs S., Hope Road (Quality Road) in the GI Derby City Distaff S. and turning-back Madaket Road (Quality Road) in the GII Pat Day Mile S., all on the Derby undercard.
How does it feel to be back?
“It's been good,” Baffert replied on the go after watching a set train by his usual spot by the gap. “The horses, so far, they've settled in well and that's the main thing. It's normal–to me, it feels like just another Derby week.”
He continued, “We've got a lot of fans. The fans want to come out and they want to see the good horses and all the top trainers. It's like anything. It's just like going to the Masters again, everybody wants to see the main players. Louisville is a great city. They really love it when people show up everywhere we go. It's nice.”
Journalism galloping beneath the Twin Spires Wednesday | Sherackatthetrack
All of those “main players,” including Baffert's aforementioned inside-drawn Derby duo, were in action during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. training window reserved for Derby and Oaks entrants.
Imposing Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism (Curlin) continues to dominate the headlines on that front since shipping in from Michael McCarthy's Santa Anita base, as does the Brad Cox-trained unbeaten Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), who is favored at 6-5 on the morning line in the female equivalent.
Journalism continues do everything you want to see, displaying terrific energy while galloping powerfully as well as showcasing that massive stride of his.
Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is another who has been training like he owns the place while striking grays Final Gambit (Not This Time) and Sandman (Tapit) and Burnham Square (Liam's Map) all left lasting impressions.
Sovereignty getting over the track very nicely this morning beneath the Twin Spires pic.twitter.com/KRBChHDWR6
— Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) April 30, 2025
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