Has Bob Baffert Fallen off?

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:54 pm

I have always held Baffert in higher esteem than Lukas. But... I gotta tell ya. I've been less than impressed this year.

What happened to Air Commander? By FAR Baffert's best 3YO Colt this year. 0ut of point given. horse was as green as they come and still winning Allowance races with ease. yet he can't beat a weak cobalt blue in a grade 3 race and we haven't seen him sense.

What happened to St. Paul? It's like after he realized he had no chance of going to the derby he just took him to the slaughterhouse.

Look at what he is doing with pussycat doll. literary snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. the mare is facing horses she should beat galloping, and isn't coming CLOSE.

I really have to question his method when it comes to older horses. everyone knows he is a speed trainer.

HR LLC · Postby **HR LLC** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:28 am

Something is wrong with Pussycat Doll...I have a strange feeling they will run her maybe 1 or 2 more times and then retire her...If she ran like this and it was still breeding season they would have retired her...

Baffert was interviewed before the race and he did not want to ship her to Calder to race in the Summit of Speed...good decision...you would have wasted shipping money on that type of effort..

Foggytrip · Postby **Foggytrip** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:51 am

He danced around why he didnt want to ship her out, also smart enough to say they would see if she liked poly. Poly is a built in excuse for most of these guys and Baffert set the table beautifully.

Maybe with what was going on at the sales, the bad press, the bad horses, maybe its taken a toll on Baffert. I thought he looked bad last night, he looked like he was upset about something. He was nowhere near as witty as he usually was, and generally just didnt look like a guy who was having fun.

Add to that Frank Lyons comments, it just wasnt a good night.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:15 am

Foggytrip wrote:He danced around why he didnt want to ship her out, also smart enough to say they would see if she liked poly. Poly is a built in excuse for most of these guys and Baffert set the table beautifully.

Maybe with what was going on at the sales, the bad press, the bad horses, maybe its taken a toll on Baffert. I thought he looked bad last night, he looked like he was upset about something. He was nowhere near as witty as he usually was, and generally just didnt look like a guy who was having fun.

Add to that Frank Lyons comments, it just wasnt a good night.

I missed frank l yons commets what where they?

also, notice how he used the "they don't like the small stalls at hollywood" excuse, which is why he doesn't run alot of horses there. I agree, he did look bad.

even with D L going though what he is going though.. at preakness he looked sharp as a button

what has been going on at the sales with BB? blowing money?

Foggytrip · Postby **Foggytrip** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:55 am

He had his ass tightened up. These big owners know they are getting stolen from it just takes them a while to figure out whos doing the stealing.

Lyons said "Bafferts horses, well they just arent running like they usually do" However, he said it more like a dig at Baffert than just a casual comment.

I think a lot of people are rooting for Baffert to go down in flames. Hes an easy guy to dislike unless you really know him. He thinks hes great, and hes always had the horses to just show up and command respect, he doesnt have that anymore. Hes basically what I woudl consider a Hollywood trainer, hes likes the lights, and hes not shy to tell you how good one of his horses are. Unfortunately for him he doesnt have many worth talking about.

Last night he looked bad, didnt act like himself, and looked more like a normal horsetrainer.

I never buy any trainers excuses, Ive been around them enough to know they are basically all bullshit. When a trainer doesnt ship out to run its because he thinks hell get drilled, no other excuse is valid. He know that filly wasnt right yesterday, and you could tell by the cadence in his voice he anticpated the race he got.

CA Michael · Postby **CA Michael** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:00 am

Jones Boys>>Eddie Neloy>>Charlie Whittingham>>Woody Stephens>>D Wayne Lukas>>Bob Baffert>>Todd Pletcher>>>???

The torch flows from the old to the new like clockwork.

Sysonby · Postby **Sysonby** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:08 am

Or.....he could just be having a so so year.

It happens.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:16 pm

he has no where near the stock of horse he is used to having. They are going to Doug O'Neil and Ron Ellis.

4 years ago, BB would have had glorified, probably all "big 3" (Cobalt blue, liquidity and great hunter) and about 2 or 3 other top horses on that circuit.

He's just not that good of a trainer. Not only would I not go to him, I would'nt go to any of his disciples (Yakteen most noticably.. just because i have a hard on for his wife, however he does have a potential superstar in Ingred the Gambler if he keeps her on the grass) until they prove to not take after him

Foggytrip · Postby **Foggytrip** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:55 pm

Bobs not that good of a trainer, you are right. Ive never been impressed by him, although I guess Ive not been around him enough to really say one way or the other. Theres about 3 guys in Kentucky, I respect, few in NY, and one In Cali. Other than that there are a few scattered guys that are old school horsetrainers, real conditions, not smooth dressed talking heads.

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:57 pm

Hey Foggy, thanks for the insight on trainers! As a trainer of 20 or more years I wondered why I was rarely in the spotlight...........I missed out on the bullshit! The hardest thing in this game is to get a good horse into your barn, the next is to keep the owners from driving you nuts! Training is mostly a nerve wracking thankless task , working 7 days a week for a pittance and then being replaced by the new flavour of the month. This is why I own 90% of my stable and train a couple for folks that are aware of the ups and downs of the sport and expect a phone call when the horse is in the entries. I was never comfortable spending other folks money or giving them bad news about their pride and joy so I withdrew from that side of it. Sorry if you have had a bad experience in the game however you are not alone. These are precious living creatures and I for one worry over them constantly. As far as knocking the tall poppies of the game as they slide down to mediocrity, I never could stand Baffert or Lucas but remember when they were really hot they had excellent assistants which freed them up to focus on the owners and the sales. Baffert had Eoin Harty during his Derby Days, when the Arabs snapped him up the barn cooled off. Lucas had Pletcher and McLaughlin for starters and they have gone on to great things. Nothing stays the same and in racing hope springs eternal. Now then where is the next Invasor coming from? No man ever committed suicide with an unbroke yearling in his back paddock, that's why I keep one or two myself. Have a good one. Wilf.

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:05 pm

Perfectly stated Wilf..

Foggytrip · Postby **Foggytrip** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:07 pm

Wilf

For all I know you could be one of those few guys I respect.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:12 pm

Wilf....get a new haircut, a better suit, and capped teeth - you'll train 100 expensive horses in no time!

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:55 pm

To hell with that Rokeby !! Too much stress and dental/tailor/barber bills!

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 2:05 pm

Rokeby Forever wrote:Wilf....get a new haircut, a better suit, and capped teeth - you'll train 100 expensive horses in no time!

uh.... I think you forgot botox.... Pletcher's face rarely moves....