2022 Kentucky Derby: Yakteen takes Baffert's place as trainer – and media focus
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tim Yakteen had been to the Kentucky Derby before, back when he was an assistant trainer to Charlie Whittingham, but never before like this, with two top contenders who only came to his barn weeks ago owing to the suspension of six-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert.
As would often happen in years past with Baffert upon his initial arrival here Derby Week, Yakteen was the center of attention on Monday morning in the Churchill Downs stable area, his first day here after Messier and Taiba arrived on Sunday from California.
Once both colts had completed their routine gallops and been bathed, a thicket of press descended on Yakteen. One journalist from a television station affixed a clip microphone to his sweatshirt. “Is this so I can’t get away?” Yakteen joked. Yakteen then pulled out his cell phone, and took a brief video of the assembled press, panning from his left to his right.
“My boys will never believe it,” Yakteen said, referencing the two teenage sons he has with his wife, broadcast journalist Millie Ball.
“I didn’t realize it was like this,” Yakteen said. “It’s a big difference, sitting in the second chair than the first chair.
“The training part is easy. This,” he said, looking at his inquisitors, “is something you can’t prepare for.”
Taiba and Messier were the one-two finishers last month in the Santa Anita Derby in their first start since moving to Yakteen. He said being chosen by the owners of Taiba and Messier was “very exciting.”
“I’m honored, willing to take the challenge,” he said. “The pinnacle for every trainer is the Derby.”
Yakteen never has had a Derby starter of his own. In addition to his experience with Whittingham, he worked as an assistant to Baffert before going out on his own 17 years ago, but never was part of the on-site Baffert team here Derby Week while in Baffert’s employ. Yakteen stayed back and helped run the California contingent.
Baffert has been banned by Churchill Downs from this year’s Derby and next year’s owing to his Medina Spirit being disqualified from last year’s Derby for a medication violation. That, plus Baffert’s current 90-day suspension from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission – something honored by all state racing regulators – is what forced Taiba and Messier to be moved to another trainer.
One of the non-negotiable requirements of the current situation is that Yakteen and Baffert cannot communicate with one another. Baffert and Yakteen are friendly, but they must be incommunicado through July 3, when Baffert’s 90-day suspension ends. Both men, as well as the owners of Taiba and Messier, know what’s at stake. There’s only one chance for a horse to run in the Derby, and they are not going to do anything to put that bid in jeopardy.
In addition to the horses he has here this week, Yakteen still has a sizeable operation back at Santa Anita, so he has plenty on his plate.
“I still have a barn in California I’m trying to manage,” he said.
Taiba and Messier were two of 22 horses who were entered in the Derby on Monday. Posts were scheduled to be drawn Monday afternoon. A maximum of 20 can run, so there were to be two also-eligibles, Rich Strike and Rattle N Roll, who only can draw in, in that order, if there is a defection from the 20 in the main body of the race by scratch time Friday morning at 9 Eastern.
There were a few last-second tweaks to the expected lineup, most notably Un Ojo, the Rebel winner, being forced to bypass the race owing to a foot bruise.
His defection allowed Ethereal Road, who had been 21st on the points list as of Sunday night, to make the starting gate. Luis Contreras was named to ride by trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
The final riding assignment to be secured was on Pioneer of Medina, with trainer Todd Pletcher reaching out to California on Monday to bring in Joe Bravo.
Most of the Derby horses based at Churchill Downs worked over the weekend, but Summer Is Tomorrow, the runner-up in the United Arab Emirates Derby, went a half-mile on Monday that Daily Racing Form timed in 49.23 seconds.
– additional reporting by David Grening, Nicole Russo, and Mike Welsch