Bob Baffert is back on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and this weekend, he’s at the $500,000 Virginia Derby. After being sidelined from the Triple Crown circuit in recent years due to suspensions, Baffert is wasting no time reestablishing his dominance. With Getaway Car as his top contender in the Virginia Derby, he is up against fierce competition from top trainers like Brad Cox, whose promising colt Rapture is also in the field.

For Baffert, this race isn’t just about another win—it’s a statement. He’s already picked up major stakes victories earlier this season, proving his stable is as powerful as ever, so will his dominance continue? It’s an important race because Getaway Car has gone from spending time in the top 3 in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings to 7th place. So, can this equine powerhouse hold off the rising stars and punch his ticket to Churchill Downs?

Bob Baffert vs. Brad Cox: The battle of the heavyweights

The Virginia Derby has transformed into a mini Kentucky Derby after Churchill Downs Inc. acquired the track in 2022. And now even more so with Baffert and Cox, who have a combined 7 Kentucky Derby titles between them, leading the charge. Getaway Car, the talented son of Curlin, comes into this race with six strong starts under his belt, including a clutch win in the Sunland Derby, where he outraced a talented field to cement his status as a serious Derby hopeful. Before that, he showcased his speed to come in second at the Los Alamitos Futurity, proving he can handle elite competition such as fellow Derby hopeful, Journalism, who took that win.

But Cox’s Rapture is no slouch. The son of Uncle Mo started his career late but has flashed serious potential. After a promising runner-up finish in his December debut at Gulfstream Park, he dominated his next outing at Oaklawn Park, winning impressively. Now, he’s looking to test his mettle against a more experienced field.

“Getaway Car holds a big experience edge, having run in six solid stakes races already,” wrote analyst Brian Zipse on Horse Racing Nation. He added, “Rapture has the raw talent, but he’s stepping up against proven horses.” However, Zipse went on to put his faith in Rapture and chose him as his pick for the Virginia Derby winner.

“The 3-year-old guys will stretch out to nine furlongs, and the one-turn format could make it tougher for horses that need the lead early,” he said. “That might set things up perfectly for Rapture if he can sit just off the pace and strike late.”

This showdown of Baffert’s proven firepower vs. Cox’s untapped potential is what makes the Virginia Derby one of the most intriguing stops on the Derby trail this year.

A loaded Virginia Derby field

The Virginia Derby isn’t just a two-horse race. Other contenders in the field bring plenty of intrigue. Studlydoright, trained by John J. Robb, is the most experienced with nine starts and two stakes victories, including the Tremont at Saratoga and the Nashua at Aqueduct. While he lacks the star power of the top two, his durability and experience make him a legitimate threat.

There’s also American Promise, who’s the son of Justify. The very Justify who, under Bob Baffert, won the Triple Crown in 2018, making him the 13th Triple Crown winner. American Promise is being trained by D. Wayne Lukas, who’s a 4-time Kentucky Derby champion himself.

Then we have the Virginia native, Omaha Omaha, who has a couple of wins under his belt at Delaware Park and Laurel Park. In fact, he has made the podium in all but one of the 6 races he’s competed in. He finished fourth in his debut race at Delaware Park. The Virginia Derby will mark his hometown debut.

Additionally, Flavien Prat, one of the hottest jockeys in the game, will be riding Rapture, adding another layer of intrigue. Prat has already guided multiple Kentucky Derby contenders to big wins this season and has a knack for delivering in pressure moments.

With 50 Derby points on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Bob Baffert’s big year so far

Bob Baffert isn’t just back—he’s dominating. While Getaway Car is leading his charge at the Virginia Derby, the Hall of Fame trainer has multiple top-tier Derby contenders that have made waves this season, but none bigger than Citizen Bull.

The three-year-old colt has been a force on the Derby trail, putting together a résumé stacked with major victories. He burst onto the scene last year by taking down the 2024 American Pharaoh and then solidified his elite status by winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile—a race that has historically produced top Kentucky Derby contenders. This season, Citizen Bull proved he’s still at the top of his game, claiming victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, showcasing the kind of grit, speed, and stamina that makes him a legitimate Derby threat.

But Citizen Bull isn’t Baffert’s only weapon. Madaket Road, another three-year-old colt from the powerhouse SF Racing/Madaket Stables ownership group, has also been in the mix, though his Derby campaign has been slightly rockier. He finished third in the Robert B. Lewis (G3), coming in behind Citizen Bull, and more recently placed second in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn behind Coal Battle. Despite not yet securing a signature stakes win, Madaket Road remains a serious contender, with his connections hoping he can peak at the right time.

With Getaway Car set for the Virginia Derby, Citizen Bull already among the top Derby favorites, and Madaket Road fighting to punch his ticket, Baffert’s stable is once again shaping up to be a major force as the Run for the Roses inches closer.

With the Kentucky Derby just weeks away, the Virginia Derby will provide critical answers about Baffert’s resurgence and whether Getaway Car can truly hang with the best in the nation. Cox’s Rapture is the wildcard, looking to shake things up, while Studlydoright brings a gritty challenge to the mix.

Baffert’s looming return to the Derby has already been electric, but a win in Virginia would send a clear message—he’s back, and he’s coming for the roses. The only question left: Can anyone stop him?