Bayern under the radar in Pennsylvania Derby

BENSALEM, Pa. – While all eyes – and cell-phone cameras – were focused on Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome on Wednesday morning at Parx, Haskell Invitational winner Bayern went about his morning routine with nary a glance.

That was just fine with Jimmy Barnes, the assistant to trainer Bob Baffert who accompanied Bayern here from Southern California.

“Doesn’t matter to me, I don’t pay attention to it,” Barnes said.

Bayern is one of seven rivals California Chrome will have to defeat in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby and likely will be the one to catch under Martin Garcia.

Last month at Saratoga, Bayern was the focal point for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes. Coming off his dominant victory in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in July, Bayern was the 2-1 favorite in the 10-horse field for the Travers. After setting the early pace, Bayern dropped back and finished last, beaten 20 lengths by V. E. Day.

It’s hard to say that Bayern simply couldn’t handle the 1 1/4 miles of the Travers. Barnes said he didn’t think Bayern particularly cared for the track, which was drying out after overnight rains had left moisture in the surface to begin that day’s card.

“I didn’t like the track; once it rained, you don’t know what kind of track you’re going to get there,” Barnes said. “If we could have run on Friday, it might have been better for him. Saratoga is a funny track. You just don’t ship in. It’s not an easy track to win at.”

Bayern shipped back to Southern California and put in two solid workouts at Santa Anita before Baffert decided to ship him back east for the Pennsylvania Derby and a meeting with California Chrome, who will be making his first start in three months.

“If there’s any time to do it, it would probably be now,” Barnes said. “I’m ready to take him on.”

On Wednesday, Bayern galloped a mile over the Parx main track. Barnes said Bayern had walked Sunday and Monday and needed to do something more than jog.

Candy Boy, the other California-based horse who came for the Pennsylvania Derby, simply walked the shed row, according to his groom, Cesar Aguilar.