Bob Baffert’s 2025 season had everyone buzzing with high hopes, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to his legendary reputation. After serving a three-year suspension from Churchill Downs due to the disqualification of Medina Spirit in 2021, Baffert was eager to make his mark once again in the realm of horse racing, especially during the Triple Crown races. His top contender for the Derby, Citizen Bull, started off strong in the 151st Kentucky Derby, yet faltered and finished far behind in the pack. Meanwhile, Sovereignty, under trainer Bill Mott, surged ahead to claim the victory.
In a stroke of misfortune, another promising colt, Rodriguez, was scratched from the Derby due to a minor foot bruise, which severely dampened Baffert’s chances of a successful outing. During the Preakness Stakes, Baffert’s other entry, Goal Oriented, finished fourth, trailing behind the eventual winner, Journalism. However, with Rodriguez back to full health, Baffert has set his sights on achieving success at the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
Not one to let opportunities slip through his fingers, Baffert is keenly focused on the $100,000 Triple Bend Stakes coming up at Santa Anita. This race follows Nysos’s recent finish in second at the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes, marking his first-ever loss. Baffert commented on Nysos’s performance, noting, “He ran well… it was a good comeback for him.” It’s clear that the seasoned trainer remains optimistic and is eager to see how his colt performs in the upcoming events.
via Imago
Baffert isn’t merely eyeing the Triple Bend Stakes; he also has aspirations for Nysos to compete in the Metropolitan Handicap on June 7. However, the consecutive racing weekends have raised concerns for the horse’s well-being. As Baffert decides on Nysos’s future races, his focus remains on the Triple Bend Stakes as an essential trial.
The stage is set for the Santa Anita race, where Nysos recently clocked an impressive workout of 5F on May 23, finishing in 59.20, placing first out of 14 competitors. This performance bodes well for his upcoming race and adds to Baffert’s optimism as he prepares for the Belmont Stakes.
Bob Baffert’s Optimism for Rodriguez
With the Belmont Stakes quickly approaching, Baffert is paying close attention to his horse, Rodriguez. After being sidelined with a foot injury that forced him out of both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the stakes are higher than ever. Tom Ryan, Rodriguez’s co-owner, offered a promising update, stating, “Lovely work from Rodriguez this morning at Santa Anita in 1:24.4 – Happy horse, extended nicely – he’s ready for a trip to Saratoga.”
Rodriguez’s recent workout indicates he’s primed for action at Saratoga, and Baffert is hopeful that this race will finally showcase the colt’s full potential, which has remained out of reach since his last race at the G2 Wood Memorial Stakes. The anticipation surrounding both Nysos and Rodriguez builds as fans and followers of horse racing eagerly await the outcome of these pivotal races.
