Top Baffert Runners Eye Next Targets

By Christie DeBernardis

 After missing an expected rematch with champions Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) and California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in the GII San Antonio S. Feb. 7 due to an abcess, Kaleem Shah’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Bayern (Offlee Wild) is preparing for his next target. The “TDN Rising Star” breezed three furlongs in :36.60 Monday at Santa Anita in preparation for a possible start in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 28. 

“He just went an easy 3/8,” Baffert told the TDN Tuesday. “He went well and came back well. I am just taking it day to day with him right now. We are trying to make dubai, but it is sort of a longshot. I will probably know in another 10 days or so. He’ll let me know when he is ready to do something.” 

Bayern is not Baffert’s only runner working towards a comeback. Fellow “TDN Rising Star” One Lucky Dane (Lookin at Lucky) also worked in Arcadia Monday, completing a half-mile in :48.40 (13/63). An impressive graduate at third asking in Arcadia Oct. 4, the bay was last seen finishing sixth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 1. 

“He is working well,” the Hall of Famer commented. “We are still thinking [GI] Kentucky Derby with him. We are getting him amped up for that, but no target race in mind yet.” 

Baffert does have not one, but two possible races in mind for recently crowned champion juvenile American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), however. 

“He looks great and is coming around much quicker than I thought he would,” the conditioner remarked. “I am looking at the [GII] San Felipe [S. at Santa Anite Mar. 7] or the [GII] Rebel S. [at Fair Grounds Mar. 14]. I’ll make that call this week.” 

Undefeated “TDN Rising Star” Dortmund (Big Brown) has exited his most recent victory in Arcadia’s GII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 7 in good order. Baffert’s ultimate pre-Derby goal for the Shah colorbearer, who is currently the early Derby favorite, is the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 4. 

“He looks great [following the Robert B. Lewis],” Baffert said. “With him, my options are the San Felipe or just wait for Santa Anita Derby. I haven’t made the call yet.” 

No matter where his arsenal of sophomores end up running, Baffert certainly holds a strong hand heading down the road to the Kentucky Derby.