Questions Mount Over Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby Entries

Added on Apr 23, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

Horse Racing

Just a couple of days ago the conventional wisdom was that two of Bob Baffert’s best three year olds were unlikely for the Kentucky Derby. Jaycito has missed his last two scheduled starts including this weekend’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. The Factor is coming off of a disappointing 7th place in the Arkansas Derby and just earlier this week was called ‘questionable’ for the Derby by Baffert himself. On Friday, however, the veteran trainer appeared to reverse course and informed the media via text message that both are still under consideration for the ‘Run for the Roses’.

Jaycito was considered very unlikely to be ready for the Kentucky Derby after running only once race this year. He was considered a sure bet to start in the Kentucky Derby earlier this season, but since his 2nd place run in the San Felipe his status has been very unclear after suffering a bruised right foot in training. At the time, his connections suggested that Saturday’s Grade 2 $200,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland would be his most likely next race. Unfortunately, every indication suggests that his foot injury hasn’t improved as hoped. He hasn’t worked since April 2, and hasn’t raced since the San Felipe on March 12. All in all, Jaycito has only been worked twice since his appearance in the San Felipe.

Even if Jaycito is healthy enough to enter the Kentucky Derby, his graded stakes earnings could be an issue. He already has $250,000 graded stakes earnings which puts him in 19th place on the ranking list. The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters. If more than 20 horses submit an entry–and that is a very likely scenario this year–the 20 horses to run are determined by graded stakes winnings. Based on the number of nominations for this year’s race it’s almost certain that more than 20 horses will enter the Derby which depending on what happens between now and then could leave Jaycito out in the cold.

The Factor is in a little better shape in terms of graded stakes earnings at 17th on the list. Earlier this week Baffert insisted that he was ‘questionable’ for the Derby but on Friday he backtracked saying that the horse was still in training for the big race. According to Baffert, a final decision won’t be made until The Factor breezes at Churchill Downs–in other words, it’ll be right before the deadline for entries.