Baffert Back in Derby Business

Not expected to have a Kentucky Derby starter for the first time in seven years, trainer Bob Baffert will return to Churchill Downs on May 4 with War Emblem. The horse has been purchased by Prince Ahmed Salman, one of Baffert’s major clients, after his victory last Saturday in the Illinois Derby.

War Emblem, vanned Sunday from Chicago to Keeneland, where trainer Bobby Springer had planned to skip the Derby and ready him for the Preakness on May 18, was instead examined Wednesday by Baffert and Richard Mulhall, general manager for Salman’s Thoroughbred Corp. The deal was put together Thursday. The purchase price, not disclosed, is believed to be in excess of $1 million.

Baffert, running his first horses in the Derby in 1996, struck quickly by winning the race with Silver Charm in ’97 and Real Quiet in ’98. Last year, Baffert saddled Salman’s Point Given, the Derby favorite, but he finished fifth in his only loss of the year.

None of Baffert’s many Derby hopefuls panned out this year. Officer, one of the most talented, was a bust around two turns and is now scheduled to run in the Derby Trial the Saturday before the Derby. Danthebluegrassman, supposedly Baffert’s last hope, finished last in the Santa Anita Derby Saturday.

A $20,000 yearling, War Emblem won the Illinois Derby by 61/4 lengths for his 84-year-old owner, Russell Reineman, as Repent, the 1-2 favorite, apparently injured his ankle and finished second. War Emblem has won four of seven starts.