Bob Baffert Wins in Return to Churchill Downs with a Kentucky Derby Contender

The most famous trainer in horse racing returned to the most hallowed grounds in the sport. After spending 3.5 years apart, Bob Baffert celebrated Thanksgiving weekend in the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs.

Typically, a blustery late-November afternoon beneath the Twin Spires doesn’t generate much buzz. There was a whole lot of it on Central Ave. for this 5-furlong, $120K Maiden Special Weight.

The No. 3 horse, Barnes, was a 1-5 favorite against 2-year-old competition. The horse was purchased for $3.2 million and is owned by Zedan Racing, the same group that owned American Pharoah and Medina Spirit, the colt who got Bafert in this pickle.

Barnes was far from polished in his debut, straying out to the middle of the track while pursuing D. Wayne Lukas’ horse. Barnes won by a nose in a photo finish.

In a photo finish, the buzz horse BARNES comes out on top on debut in R7 at @churchilldowns for trainer Bob Baffert with Martin Garcia aboard! 🤩

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SrvH6kCVHA

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 27, 2024

Once at odds with the historic racetrack, Baffert was nothing but complimentary of the folks at Churchill Downs.

“It’s been fantastic. Since the minute I walked in, it was awesome,” Baffert said prior to the race. “Everybody’s nice and glad to see me back. I got to tour the whole place. It’s unbelievable what they’ve done the last few years.”

He continued, “Everything’s behind us. As a trainer, you have to focus on what’s in front of you. Live and let live. I’m glad to be back. I appreciate being here.”

The victory at Churchill Downs was Baffert’s first since May 8, 2021. One day later the world learned that Baffert’s seventh Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, failed a race-day drug test for betamethasone. There were lawsuits, suspensions, and appeals that ultimately led to the horse’s disqualification and a lengthy legal battle.

Churchill Downs suspended Baffert through 2024 to keep him away from the track during Kentucky Derby 150. They lifted that suspension in July, paving the way for Baffert to return today and give his Derby contender a chance to run beneath the Twin Spires. There was quite a crowd to hear from Baffert after his first win at Churchill Downs since 2021.

“Hopefully, we will keep him healthy and hopefully we are here the first Saturday in May,” Baffert said from the winner’s circle.