Baffert taking aim at first Honeybee win with Explora

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Through the years Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has compiled an outstanding record in 3-year-old stakes at Oaklawn Park, but he will be charting new territory in the local races on Sunday.

The Southern California-based Baffert will be looking to win the Honeybee for the first time when he sends out Explora in the Grade 3, $750,000 race for 3-year-old fillies that shares a card with the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel.

Explora was the runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She launched her 3-year-old season with a 5 1/4-length win in the Santa Ynez in January at Santa Anita. She finished second last out as the favorite in the one-mile Las Virgenes to Meaning. For the Honeybee, she will start from post 9 under Flavien Prat.

“She’s improving,” Baffert said. “I think it’s a good spot for her. I like that. She’s worked well, so I thought I’d send her there. She’s a really nice filly and I think racing will help her. And we’ll see how she handles the ship and everything.”

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The race will be the first outside of Southern California for Explora, a daughter of Blame who will be looking to pick up more Kentucky Oaks points. She ranked third on the list with 45 through Tuesday.

Explora races for the partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. She’s one of several quality 3-year-old fillies in Baffert’s barn this season.

“I have four nice fillies I really like,” he said. “They’re sorting themselves out.”

Grade 1 winner Bottle of Rouge launched her 3-year-old season earlier this month with a win in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks. She is 12th on the points list for the Kentucky Oaks with 20.

“It was a good race,” Baffert said. “She came out of it really well, so I’m thinking the Virginia Oaks. I might run her there.”

The $250,000 race is March 14 at Colonial Downs. Bottle of Rouge races for Jill Baffert. Last year, Bottle of Rouge won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante over Explora.

As for the Rebel, Baffert will have Litmus Test in the Kentucky Derby points race. He has saddled a record eight Rebel winners.

“They’ve all been won by really good horses,” Baffert said.

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