LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bob Baffert sure looks to be on a winning streak lately — and that applies not only to his horses but to his health as well.
The trainer certainly had good fortune in the Kentucky Derby draw where his Bodemeister was made the early 4-1 favorite after landing a good post position for Saturday’s race.
It’s the third time Baffert has had the morning-line favorite; the first two didn’t work out.
Lookin At Lucky drew the dreaded inside post in 2010, giving Baffert a sinking feeling. Sure enough, the colt got trapped along the rail and finished sixth. In 2001, Point Given was the heavy favorite and wound up fifth. He went on to win the Preakness and Belmont stakes, the final two legs of the Triple Crown.
“I just hope I have a chance to get my heart rate going turning for home,” said the three-time Derby champion and consummate jokester, who found a way to reference the heart attack he suffered in March. He said he’s a changed man now, exercising and eating all the right foods.
Baffert fell ill in Dubai, where he had gone to watch his horse, Game On Dude, run in the $10 million Dubai World Cup. He was rushed to a hospital, where surgeons inserted three stents in two arteries.
Bodemeister, named after Baffert’s 7-year-old son Bode, drew the No. 6 post under jockey Mike Smith. Six horses have won from that position.
Bodemeister is the stronger of Baffert’s two horses. His other, 50-1 shot Liaison, landed in the No. 20 spot.
The Associated Press
