With each passing day, the 2025 Kentucky Derby is nearing. There is a lot of excitement already, with the trainers and horses vying for the prestigious spot in the race. The feeling is coupled with the return of the legendary trainer, Bob Baffert, who will make a comeback this year. However, this return is after some rather controversial and unfortunate events surrounding Baffert. But why was he absent from Churchill Downs, and what was the $10 million loss that’s being associated with him?

Back in 2021, at the 147th Kentucky Derby, Baffert had trained Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line. However, he failed a post-race drug test. Initially handed a two-year suspension, Baffert’s ban was extended to three years last year. Back in 2024, the Jefferson County court had passed a strict order not to accommodate a ban on the ongoing injunction on Bob Baffert’s participation in the Kentucky Derby. Moreover, Muth, the racehorse in the fray for the Kentucky Derby, was also not allowed to earn the necessary qualifying points from the Arkansas Derby earlier. Thus, the owner, Zedan, lost $10.7 million that was banked on Muth and five other horses at the price value. Nonetheless, with Baffert having served the three-year suspension, a comeback was long overdue for the legendary trainer.

After Baffert served the three-year suspension, he was reinstated to race at Churchill Downs in July last year. Talking about Baffert’s return, the CEO of Churchill Downs, Bill Carstanjen, said, “We are satisfied that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a substantial penalty and is committed to running in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward. All parties agree that it is time to bring this chapter to a close and focus on the future.”

Meanwhile, the legendary trainer is back to his best and never fails to grab the headlines. Baffert is already being considered a frontrunner to win the Kentucky Derby after achieving some record-breaking feat.

Bob Baffert to compete with most horses for the Kentucky Derby 2025

With the 2025 Kentucky Derby less than three weeks away, all the eyes are on Baffert, who is making a comeback this year after being away for three years due to suspension. According to the current Kentucky Derby leaderboard, the legendary trainer could have three starters for the grand race at Churchill Downs. They are Rodriguez, Citizen Bull, and Madaket Road, and no other trainer has three starters as of now. And it is an extremely rare case.

This will give Baffert an extra edge in his comeback Kentucky Derby. If the stats are to be believed, in the last 150 years, having at least three starters in the Kentucky Derby has correlated with a better performance from the trainers on 32 occasions. Moreover, in 13 of those instances, at least one starter finished in the top three.

The record for the most starters in the Kentucky Derby has been five, which is very difficult to achieve in today’s competitive day and age. However, Baffert isn’t a stranger to having three starters before. He has had three horses start in the Derby on three occasions, 1999, 2006, and 2019. However, no horse managed to win, place, or show.

“Who’s the bad guy now? I’m the one who knock-knocks. Either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villain,” Baffert said as he confirmed his return to Churchill Downs this year. With the legendary trainer raring to go, things could change this time around, as all the eyes will be on Baffert to deliver on the big occasion.