Bob Baffert has switched several of his leading three-year-old prospects to the barn of former assistant Tim Yakteen – including Kentucky Derby favorite Arabian Knight.
The move comes after Baffert last week failed in his bid to overturn his two-year suspension from all Churchill Downs-owned tracks over the disqualification of Medina Spirit following the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
A judge in Kentucky denied Baffert’s motion, which means horses running in his name are still banned from earning any Kentucky Derby points in qualifying races – hence the move to other trainers, headed by Baffert's southern Californian-based colleague Yakteen, in whose name they will now officially be running.
According to the Los Angeles Times, on Sunday Baffert moved Arabian Knight, National Treasure, Fort Bragg and Mr. Fisk to Yakteen, where they join Arabian Lion, Carmel Road and Hejazi, who have already made the same switch. Another three-year-old to make the move, Reincarnate, was third in Saturday’s Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn with Yakteen listed as trainer.
Unbeaten in two starts, Arabian Knight was promoted to 10-1 ante-post favorite for the Kentucky Derby (alongside last year’s champion two-year-old Forte) by European betting firms after last month’s impressive victory in the G3 Southwest Stakes.
The son of Uncle Mo is set for his final Kentucky Derby prep in either the Santa Anita Derby or the Arkansas Derby. Others among the former Baffert contingent are set to run this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (Santa Anita) or the Gotham (Aqueduct).
“Our whole program is based on three-year-olds and the Kentucky Derby,” said Baffert, speaking to the Los Angeles Times.
“It’s tough to give them up,” he added. “We thought we had a good chance to get an injunction, but we didn’t. So, we‘ve got to move forward, we’ve got to move on.”
Baffert was forced into similar moves 12 months ago, when Taiba and Messier qualified for Churchill Downs when finishing one-two in the Santa Anita Derby under Yakteen’s name. They were 12th and 15th in the Run for the Roses – still under Yakteen’s name – before returning to Baffert.
In addition to the former Baffert-trained horses transferred to Yakteen, Fort Warren is now with Brittany Russell and Harlocap was sixth in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds over the weekend for Steve Asmussen.
Baffert added: “I was trying to set up as smooth a transition as I could for the horses and the owners and still allow them to get Derby points.”
In other Kentucky Derby news, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Forte is set to make his three-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on Saturday [March 4]. “He seems to be thriving right now,” said trainer Todd Pletcher.“I hope he can continue on that trajectory. We’re super-pleased with the way he’s coming into the race.
“Physically, he’s done well,” added Pletcher. “He’s put on some weight. He’s always been a leggy colt, so I wouldn’t say he’s grown height-wise, but he has filled out. He’s a super intelligent colt, very easy to train, very straightforward. He’s very willing when you want him to be.”
Chief rivals in the G2 event, the main lead-up race for the Florida Derby, include G1 winner Blazing Sevens and Holy Bull victor Rocket Can.
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