A two-day hearing in a U.S. District Court to weigh arguments on whether Churchill Downs can continue to ban trainer Bob Baffert from this year’s Kentucky Derby concluded Friday afternoon, and a decision on a request by Baffert’s attorneys for a temporary injunction is expected within the next several weeks, if not sooner.
Cyclone Mischief was rated No. 12 in Daily Racing Form's inaugural Derby Watch for the 2023 road to the Kentucky Derby. He would improve significantly on that position when list two is released next week with a big performance in Saturday's $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
A single trainer rarely controls a division as thoroughly as Bob Baffert controls California 3-year-olds. The situation reaches an extreme on Saturday at Santa Anita. The Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes drew four entrants, all trained by Baffert.
The disqualification of the Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit from his 2021 Kentucky Derby win still hangs over the sport of Thoroughbred racing and its most famous horse race nearly two years later and three months before the 149th Run for the Roses is to be conducted, May 6, at Churchill Downs. But it hasn't led to a lack of top-flight Derby prospects emanating from Baffert's barn.
Blazing Sevens, who appears to be trainer Chad Brown's lone Kentucky Derby hope at this point, will make his 3-year-old debut in either the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 18 or the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on March 4, Brown said Tuesday.
Banishing, the fastest 2- or 3-year-old maiden winner at the ongoing Fair Grounds meet, has resumed galloping after missing a period of training due to a cut on his leg.
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
Who's hot, who's not among this year's contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
Private Creed, who was a closing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November, could get a shot at a Kentucky Derby points race.
Time may have run out for Cave Rock to make his targeted comeback race, initially planned to be the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park.
