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Derby Fever The lure of Churchill Downs made Baffert do a 180Posted: Thursday May 02, 2002 4:07 PM
Three days before the April 6 Santa Anita Derby, trainer Bob Baffert made jokes about his lack of any useful horse to run in the Kentucky Derby. On a cool, smoggy SoCal morning, he stood on concrete risers and played Funny Bob, a role he manages well. "You've heard of the movie Panic Room?'' Baffert asked. "Well, that's where I am right now, in my own panic room, trying to find a Derby horse.'' Hear rim shot. He talked about the unimpressive 3-year-old crop, full of decent horses, but lacking even one who could scare the rest away. "If you're looking to sell a mediocre 3-year-old, this is the year to do it, because people are going to buy.'' He was preparing to run a colt named Danthebluegrassman at Santa Anita. Dan had been competing in northern California since December, winning two stakes and finishing second in another. "I sent him up there to keep him away from the big boys,'' Baffert admitted, and then shrugged resignedly. "He's one of those horses that needs to have a race go his way to win the Kentucky Derby. He'd have to get a lead, no pressure. I don't know. We'll find out more on Saturday.'' In the Santa Anita Derby, Danthebluegrassman finished last, no threat. He was bumped at the start, but that wouldn't seem to fully explain his anemic effort. He appeared to be modestly talented, but way out of his league at the sport's highest level. Most people took Dan off their Derby charts. On that same afternoon War Emblem won the Illinois Derby at Sportsman's Park, getting an unchallenged lead and beating to-that-point Derby favorite Repent by more than six lengths. War Emblem's connections immediately said that they would not consider entering him in the Kentucky Derby. OK. Jump ahead. On Wednesday evening in Louisville, War Emblem and Danthebluegrassman were both drawn into the massive, 20-horse field for the 128th Kentucky Derby. Both will be saddled by Baffert. Mommy, how did we get here from nowhere in a month? Here's how: A little money, a little imagination, a lot of ego. After the Illinois Derby, The Thoroughbred Corporation bought War Emblem for $900,000, a huge sum. Was this one of those mediocre 3-year-olds Baffert had been talking about? Apparently. Almost immediately, he became a Derby horse. Then on Wednesday, after taking questions for several days about working under the radar with War Emblem, Baffert and owner Mike Pegram unexpectedly entered Danthebluegrassman in the Derby. Their decision bounced Winter Passage from the field, based on graded earnings, and left Winter Passages' owners stranded just five minutes before post position draw. Been training great in Louisville, Baffert said of Dan. Understand: Baffert is good for racing, good for the Derby. He's telegenic and quotable and he often runs fast horses. Also understand: The Derby is limited to 20 starters. If any more than that enter, the top 20 money-winners are chosen. But the best horses aren't necessarily the ones who have won the most money. Sunday Break got bounced out of the Derby (he was 22nd) and might have won it. It's a cliché in racing that horse people get Derby Fever. They bring horses to Louisville who have no shot at winning, just for the experience of walking in the post parade and getting tickets for all their friends. If they've earned enough money -- and that doesn't mean they're any good -- their ticket is punched. People laugh at them. Back to Santa Anita in early-April. Listen to Baffert: "I don't want to go to the Derby with a horse than can't win. I've been there with good horses.'' Baffert shouldn't get Derby Fever. He should be immune. Time for a booster shot. Sports Illustrated senior writer Tim Layden is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to send him a question or comment. |
