Bayern Works Towards Return

Kaleem Shah’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern (Offlee Wild) worked a best-of-33 six furlongs from the gate in 1:10.80 alongside stablemate Cat Burglar (Unbridled’s Song). ‘TDN Rising Star’ Bayern was accompanied by regular pilot Martin Garcia. 

“I’m really happy with how they went,” said trainer Bob Baffert in reference to Bayern and GI Kentucky Derby contender Dortmund (Big Brown), who breezed six furlongs in 1:13.60. 

Bayern had a stellar sophomore season last year romping in Belmont’s GII Woody Stephens S. June 7, Monmouth Park’s GI Haskell Invitational S. July 27 and Parx’s GII Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 20. The bay has not been seen since his controversial victory in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. 

Baffert was considering both the 1 1/16-mile GII Alysheba S. in Louisville May 1 and the seven-furlong GII Churchill Downs S. May 2 for Bayern’s return. 

“He’ll probably run in the Alysheba,” the Hall of Famer announced following Saturday’s work.