The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching but our full list of contenders is still ever changing. First there was Bob Baffert’s strategic decision to take Madaket Race out of the Derby and into the Pat Day Mile Stakes. Then Aron Wellman made the same move yesterday with his horse Built. Now earlier today it was announced that Tappan Street would also be out of the Derby with a condylar fracture to his right foreleg. With Tappan Street the latest horse out of the running, it’s opened the door for other hopefuls, and it seems like the new contender has already arrived.

A quick update from sports journalist J.J. Hysell on X stated: “UPDATE: Gabby Gaudet on FanDuel Racing reporting Kenny McPeek said Render Judgment WILL be entered in Kentucky Derby.” It’s a pretty big 180 degree turn as it was announced just hours ago that Render Judgment wouldn’t be participating in the Derby, as reported by David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

So, for Kenneth McPeek, the trainer who’s racked up about $136 million in his horse racing career, Render Judgement is going to be his first horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby. It’s definitely a last-minute choice, but you never know what’s in store for the horse in the Run for the Roses. What’s going on with the colt’s career?

Honestly, it’s not that impressive. After a first win at Churchill Downs on October 27 last year, Render Judgement hasn’t managed to snag another victory in any race since then. He’s actually run in quite a few. He’s made appearances in races like the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Gun Runner Stakes, Risen Star Stakes, Virginia Derby, and the Blue Grass Stakes. However, he only managed to snag second and third place in the Virginia Derby and the Gun Runner Stakes, respectively.

Has McPeek said anything about the latest update on his horse? “Yesterday, the group, they pow-wowed without me, which is fine, and they decided they wanted to run. If that’s what they want to do, I’m all for it,” the trainer said, admitting they were initially unsure about joining in but were eventually convinced by the horse’s connections. Without a doubt, Baffert is going to face the rival, but how certain is he that he will be successful in his return to Churchill Downs?

Bob Baffert is ready for the challenge

In an interview with Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nation, Bob Baffert was asked, “Do you have your answer rehearsed for all the times you are going to be asked what it’s like being back at Churchill Downs?” As a seasoned trainer who’s been part of multiple Run for the Roses, he said, “It’s going to be like I never left, because when I went back there in November, it was normal.”

Initially, Baffert received a two-year suspension, but that got extended by another year since he continued to contest his case. But you know, even with his reputation taking a hit, it seems like his confidence is still going strong.

But despite his nonchalant and confident attitude, Baffert also acknowledged the challenges of winning the Derby. “You want to go in there with a horse that’s doing really well and has a chance. We have two nice horses in there, but you need a lot of luck. I know it. I’ve won it with the best horses. I’ve gotten beat a few times with the best horses.”

“You don’t know until they turn for home. You’re just hoping as a trainer that when they turn for home, you have a chance to root. There’s nothing like that. That’s a great feeling that when they turn for home, your horse is right there. That’s what you’re hoping” for.”

Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby six times, and it’s no surprise that he faces his fair share of criticism and challenges along the way. Even something like his suspension from Churchill Downs, which impacted his career for 3 years, doesn’t seem to bother him much. He prefers to let his horses’ performance on the track do the talking.