‘Happy to be back’: Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby return includes two horses in the race

LOUISVILLE,Ky. — ThebackstretchatChurchillDownsisamagicalplaceduringKentuckyDerbyweek.Big-nametrainerstalkingtowell-heeledowners,mediahaplesslystandingaroundhopingtograbaquoteoraquickstand-upinterview.YetthemostimportantpartofthisannualcarnivalofhorsedomisthatoneoftheoccupantswillbethenextwinneroftheKentuckyDerby. Notallofthe1,500horsesstabledareeligibletoraceintheKentuckyDerby.Infact,only20ofthemmakethestartinggateandyouonlygetonechance—whentheyarea3-year-old. Butifyouarelookingforaspecialplace,looknofurtherthanBarn33.Whatmakesitstandoutisthat’swherewaytoomanypeoplecongregate,hopingtoeithertalkto,snapapicturewithorinterviewthemostfamouspersoninracing,trainerBobBaffert. Ifyou’reunsureit’sBaffert’sbarn,justlookattheexteriorwallofthebarnwheresixsignshang,oneforeachofBaffert’sDerbywins:SilverCharm(1997),RealQuiet(1998),WarEmblem(2002),AmericanPharoah(2015),Justify(2018)andAuthentic(2020).