Kentucky Derby Return Brings Multiple Supporters for Bob Baffert as Trainer Faces Massive Backlash

“If you don’t dream of winning the Derby, you have no business training Thoroughbreds.” When trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. said this, he meant every word. After all, the Kentucky Derby is the pinnacle of American horse racing. And he proved his mettle by winning it in 2009; he showed his mettle by winning the coveted race with Mine That Bird. It is such a privilege to win the Derby. But what about the man who wins it 6 times? Yes, Bob Baffert is not just good. He is special. And Churchill Downs is preparing for his return.

Returning from the infamous 3-year suspension after his 2021 winner tested positive for a prohibited substance, he received so much flak because of his actions, and even the way he tried to portray the whole incident. But now, as he gets ready for the Run to the Roses on May 3, 2025, it seems there are questions. How will he be received? Are people ready to move on? Well, it seems like some have at least a few supporters.

3 years of absence, numerous lawsuits rejected, appeals to let the 2021 Kentucky Derby win stand. But for 3 years, Bob Baffert had to endure rejection and criticism from authorities. But now, it seems the 72-year-old has been forgiven. Especially because Bob Baffert didn’t intentionally cheat the law. “It is not doping,” Lisa Lazarus, the CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), said to The Athletic on April 28, 2025.

So what exactly happened? 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert’s 3-year-old colt, Medina Spirit, tested positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug that should not have been found in the post-race testing. After denying it initially, the two-time Triple Crown winner eventually admitted to accidentally exposing his thoroughbred to the substance via an antifungal ointment.

“It is a medication overage, and under HISA, a first-time offender would only pay a fine.” Bob Baffert has served 3 years of suspension. Shouldn’t it be enough? The HISA CEO further added, “I also will say that Bob Baffert is one of the few high-profile trainers who has not had a blip under the HISA rules.” It’s almost like the HISA vouching for Bob Baffert’s integrity. “No overages, nothing. He has done an excellent job following the rules.’’

And he is also finding support from fellow trainers. D. Wayne Lukas isn’t doing that badly. 4 Kentucky Derby himself, and he was the hotshot before Bob Baffert happened. And he thinks the Kentucky Derby needs the 6-time winner. “He belongs here. He’s the face of [the Derby].” As for the suspension, Lukas is clear in his opinion. “I said that for three years, and every year since. That [suspension] was wrong. That was wrong. I can see their side, too. But we’re glad to have him back.”

Even fellow competitor trainer Mark Casse shares the same sentiment as D. Wayne Lukas. “He deserves to be back,” the 64-year-old told Newsbreak recently. Trainer Doug O’Neill explained perfectly why Bob Baffert has paid his dues, even if the sanctity of the sport was questioned. “He broke the rules, but he wasn’t trying to cheat.” And the whole turn of events ended up making Baffert look like a villain.

But O’Neill thinks the regulators have set a great precedent. “I do think it’s important that Churchill treated him like anybody else. He’s the biggest name in horse racing, and he broke a rule. That’s a credit to them. They called it.” And they showed they take clean racing very seriously. And even went as far as to increase the 72-year-old’s ban from the initial 2 years to 3 years. Why? Because the iconic trainer hadn’t shown contrition.

But what about now? Just a whole lot of respect for the law and putting the past behind. “I know it was an honest mistake, but at the end of the day, it couldn’t be in the horse’s system. That’s the rule, and Churchill had to do what they had to do. I respect that,” said the 72-year-old trainer to the NY Times. Come the first Saturday of May, he will proudly make his grand return to the Derby. “I’m grateful to be back. I love this race. I just want to move forward.” And Doug O’Neill thinks the slate is clean. “He also paid his dues, and he should be welcomed back like anyone else.”

Welcomed back, right. But not like anybody. Bob Baffert’s return to the Kentucky Derby holds a special significance.

Bob Baffert has a chance to rewrite the record books on his return

His last Derby win came in 2020 with Authentic. He didn’t know the legendary path he had embarked on when he got his first Kentucky Derby victory in 1997. Much, much before he started, a record had been set. Back in 1952, by Ben Jones. And Bob Baffert would equal it in 2020. As the trainer with the most Derby wins.

The 2021 win could have been the record-making 7th win if not for the drug test failure. But now, history beckons. 2025 Kentucky Derby. Baffert’s odds don’t look that bad either. Sure, the prime contenders are Casse’s Sandman, Michael McCarthy’s Journalism, and Ian R. Wilkes’ Burnham Square. But Bob Baffert has his 2 horses in the post.

With Citizen Bull and Rodriguez, the 2018 Triple Crown winner will enter with only 1 objective. To see his name being associated with a Kentucky Derby triumph. Right now, Bob Baffert is just hoping. “I think every trainer wants is, when your horse makes that final turn at the Derby, to have a reason to scream. That’s all anyone wants. To have a reason to hope.’’

But a win will be his Kentucky Derby journey coming full circle since 2021.

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