Baffert terms Bodemeister brilliant after gallant Derby effort

Despite the sting of finishing second in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1), trainer Bob Baffert found no fault in the fantastic effort the Zayat Stables colt turned in for the 1 1/4-mile classic.

“He was doing it easily. He was within himself. He was being pressed, but he’s a brilliant horse,” said Baffert. “That’s the way he wanted to run. We talked about it before. I told (jockey) Mike (Smith), ‘Look, if he breaks great and feels like running, we can win it.’ 

Mike rode him perfect. I have no complaints there. We got beat. You get beat. But he showed up and that’s all a trainer can ask for is that his horse shows up on the big days, and he showed up. I was really proud of him. He’s a super impressive horse.” 

Bodemeister was very composed in the paddock and post parade, and came out to the lead almost immediately. Baffert was referring to the speedy Trinniberg pressing him, but he began to fade after six furlongs. Bodemeister held the lead until inside the final eighth mile, when I’ll Have Another took the top spot. 

Baffert talked Preakness (G1) the morning after the Derby, but the jury is still out on whether he will make the trip.

“He (Bodemeister) looks pretty good, but he’s not going anywhere right now,” Baffert said. “He’ll stay here and I’ll come back in a week and see how he looks. I’m just going to let him tell me if he’s ready, just like I did with (2010 Preakness winner) Lookin at Lucky.

Despite the sting of finishing second in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1), trainer Bob Baffert found no fault in the fantastic effort the Zayat Stables colt turned in for the 1 1/4-mile classic.

“He was doing it easily. He was within himself. He was being pressed, but he’s a brilliant horse,” said Baffert. “That’s the way he wanted to run. We talked about it before. I told (jockey) Mike (Smith), ‘Look, if he breaks great and feels like running, we can win it.’ 

Mike rode him perfect. I have no complaints there. We got beat. You get beat. But he showed up and that’s all a trainer can ask for is that his horse shows up on the big days, and he showed up. I was really proud of him. He’s a super impressive horse.” 

Bodemeister was very composed in the paddock and post parade, and came out to the lead almost immediately. Baffert was referring to the speedy Trinniberg pressing him, but he began to fade after six furlongs. Bodemeister held the lead until inside the final eighth mile, when I’ll Have Another took the top spot. 

Baffert talked Preakness (G1) the morning after the Derby, but the jury is still out on whether he will make the trip.

“He (Bodemeister) looks pretty good, but he’s not going anywhere right now,” Baffert said. “He’ll stay here and I’ll come back in a week and see how he looks. I’m just going to let him tell me if he’s ready, just like I did with (2010 Preakness winner) Lookin at Lucky.