Baffert pointing Du Jour to Belmont Derby

The 3-year-old colt is trained by Bob Baffert, ran the best race of his career on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs, and was overlooked in the betting.

The description fits Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, and stablemate Du Jour, the 5-1 winner of the Grade 2 American Turf Classic at 1 1/16 miles in his stakes debut last weekend.

Du Jour has returned to Baffert’s Santa Anita stable, but could be traveling again soon. Baffert said on Wednesday that the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, a $1 million race at 1 1/4 miles on turf on July 10, is an early summer goal.

By Temple City, Du Jour has won three consecutive races on turf at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs. In his five-race career, Du Jour was third in his lone start on dirt, in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on Jan. 3.

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Baffert said he has been pleasantly surprised at Du Jour’s development this year.

“I don’t buy turf horses,” Baffert said. “Usually when I run a horse on the turf, it’s a last resort if they’re struggling.

“He can run on the dirt, also. He’s growing up and he’s a strong, beautiful horse.”

Du Jour races for Baffert’s wife, Jill, and Debbie Lanni.

“Jill was so giddy,” Baffert said. “It was an unbelievable day. I still can’t believe it.”

Gamine, the champion female sprinter of 2020, has returned to Baffert’s California stable after her win in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

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Gamine, the 1-5 favorite, overcame a troubled start to lead throughout the $500,000 race at seven furlongs and win for the seventh time in her eight-race career.

“She’s never broke like that,” Baffert said. “It was scary. She has so much class to get it done.”

Baffert said he has not “mapped out a plan” for Gamine, who races for Michael Petersen.