LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Less than one month after it appeared trainer Bob Baffert would be well-represented in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, Baffert won’t be saddling any Derby starters for the first time since 2008.
The Hall of Fame trainer said Monday that Sunland Park Derby winner Govenor Charlie would not run. His other remaining prospect, Risen Star runner-up Code West, also won’t compete in the Derby at Churchill Downs.
“We just decided to wait,” Baffert said. “When they tell us they’re ready to go, then they will go again.”
Govenor Charlie was 11th on the points leader board that determines starting preference, if the race oversubscribes. The 1¼-mile race is limited to 20 starters. Code West was ranked 21st but is virtually assured of a spot because several horses ranked in front of him have also been pulled from consideration.
Baffert hasn’t been on the Derby sidelines since 2007 and 2008. He has won the race three times, but not since2002.
Govenor Charlie galloped Monday, but hasn’t had a published workout since April 11, a layoff caused by a foot bruise and soreness in his hind end.
“You cannot have any kind of hiccup,” Baffert said. “We want to be competitive and if you’re not competitive, my clients don’t want to be in there. We’re just going to watch and good luck to everybody else.”
Baffert said Govenor Charlie could be pointed toward the Preakness Stakes on May 18, while Code West is a possibility for the Belmont Stakes on June 9.
Three weeks ago, Bafferttook Santa Anita Derby runner-up Flashback out of consideration because of a knee injury that will sideline the colt at least two months.
Baffert had two starters in the April 13 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs - War Academy and Den’s Legacy - but neither measured up to the competition in the $1 million race.
War Academy, the Arkansas Derby favorite despite making his fourth career start and stakes debut, was pulled up by jockey Mike Smith while appearing uncomfortable down the backstretch.
Den’s Legacy finished sixth in the Arkansas Derby for Little Rock-based Westrock Stables LLC (Joe and Scott Ford) and was withdrawn from Derby consideration last week by Baffert, even though he was within in the top 20 contenders in points.
Another early contender, Super Ninety Nine, the runaway winner of the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn, finished fifth in the Rebel Stakes and was a distant third in the Santa Anita Derby, prompting Baffert to withdraw him from Derby consideration last Tuesday, along with Den’s Legacy.
Den’s Legacy established a solid resume leading up to the Arkansas Derby, running second in the Jan. 5 Sham Stakes and Feb. 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes and third in the 2012 CashCall Futurity and Rebel.
He had 20 points and was ranked No. 20 on the leader board.
“It wasn’t meant for me to be in the Derby this year,” Baffert said.
Sports, Pages 17 on 04/30/2013