Bob Baffert is presently a focal point in the realm of horse racing. What’s the reason for that? The 72-year-old trainer is pursuing his seventh Kentucky Derby victory this year, following the lifting of his suspension. He is resolute in his pursuit, and in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, he has multiple horses competing for a position on the starting line for the race in May. Nonetheless, some of his horses are struggling on the leaderboard, prompting the trainer to devise a range of strategies for improvement.

As reported on DRF’s official website, Bob Baffert offered insights regarding two of his horses. Who are these individuals? Barnes and Rodriguez. For Barnes, the trainer remarked, “I was trying something different with Barnes. I tried him without the blinkers. He didn’t like it. He’s going to be nominated everywhere. Next week’s work will decide everything.”

Blinkers are devices employed on horses to restrict their field of vision, enabling them to concentrate better during races. However, when Baffert decided to experiment by removing them, Barnes reacted negatively to the change. Additionally, Barnes was outperformed by Rodriguez, a fellow competitor he had previously bested by over nine lengths when he secured second place in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 1. Any news regarding Rodriguez?

“For some reason, he just lost his composure last time. We’re looking for something out of town with him, Wood or Blue Grass,” Baffert stated. In the previous San Felipe Stakes, the trainer indicated that the horse did not deliver his optimal performance. He recognizes that Rodriguez possesses significantly greater potential.

Additionally, Baffert is contemplating sending Rodriguez to participate in either the Wood Memorial Stakes or the Blue Grass Stakes, both significant preparatory races for the Kentucky Derby. But are you aware that a certain horse will be running in a reputable race for the trainer in a few days?

Bob Baffert’s next big target

Bob Baffert is eager to secure those vital Kentucky Derby points, and this time he has selected Cornucopian for the challenge. On X, NYRA Bets shared a report highlighting that “Bob Baffert is looking for a record-setting sixth Arkansas Derby victory and has his blazing fast runner Cornucopian entered at @OaklawnRacing as the ML favorite. Will Cornucopian be able to qualify for the @KentuckyDerby in only his second career start?”

The Arkansas Derby stands as a distinguished Grade 1 race, and Bob Baffert boasts an impressive track record with five prior victories to his name. As he pursues that coveted sixth title, he will simultaneously be targeting those crucial points for the Kentucky Derby. What is the point value for this race? The Kentucky Derby’s official website indicates that the race will allocate points in the amounts of 100, 50, 25, 15, and 10.

Should Cornucopian secure a first-place finish, he would ascend into the top three on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Examining the three-year-old’s background, he has recently secured his first victory, but only time will reveal his performance at Oaklawn Park.