American Pharoah's Triumphant Homecoming

After becoming the first horse in 37 years to win Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, American Pharoah receives a hero's welcome home to Santa Anita.

Plum Pretty works 6 furlongs, targets Apple Blossom

Grade 1 winner Plum Pretty worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.80 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning, Feb. 25, with jockey Martin Garcia aboard. Trainer Bob Baffert, who said he was pleased with the work, is targeting the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on Apr. 13.

Plum Pretty, a 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the A.P. Indy mare Liszy, is owned by Peachtree Stable.

Liaison puts in a bullet work at Santa Anita

Grade 1 CashCall Futurity winner Liaison put in a bullet work Thursday morning at Santa Anita, going in company with stable mate Midnight Crooner for trainer Bob Baffert. Liaison, with jockey Martin Garcia up, was clocked in 1:11.80 for the 6-furlong work, with Midnight Crooner getting 1:12.40  - the fastest two works of 18 at the distance.

Both 3-year-old colts are owned by Arnold Zetcher, who also bred Midnight Crooner, a son of War Chant out of Midnight Kiss (NZ) by Groom Dancer.

Game On Dude puts in first work of the year

Santa Anita Handicap winner and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Game on Dude worked four furlongs in :48.20 at Santa Anita under Martin Garcia on New Year’s Day.

Trainer Bob Baffert indicated Game On Dude could make his 2012 debut in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 5.

Genius works 7 furlongs at Santa Anita

Genius worked 7 furlongs in company on Saturday morning, 12/31/11 for trainer Bob Baffert. With jockey Martin Garcia aboard, Genius was clocked in 1:25.80.

The three-year-old son of Smart Strike out of the Dixieland Band mare Southern Swing is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

Baffert said he is pointing Genius to the San Fernando for 4-year-olds around two turns, on Feb. 14 at Santa Anita.

Game On Dude works a bullet on Christmas Eve

Santa Anita Handicap winner and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Game On Dude worked for trainer Bob Baffert on Christmas Eve morning on Santa Anita’s fast main track, going 5 furlongs in :58 flat, the fastest of 121 works at the distance. Jockey Martin Garcia was aboard for the work.

Game On Dude races for owners Bernie Schiappa, Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, and Mercedes Stable LLC.

Secret Circle works in company, may target Sham Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle worked in company with Candrea this morning at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. With jockey Martin Garcia aboard, Secret Circle went 6 furlongs in 1:11.60 – the fastest of 12 works at the distance.

Secret Circle worked without blinkers this morning, a change from last week’s breeze, as Baffert works on getting the speedy colt to relax a bit.

“I think maybe with that work I am starting to think a little bit more in terms of running him long,” said Baffert. “Maybe running him a mile in the Sham coming up.” The Grade 3 Sham Stakes on Jan. 7 at Santa Anita is at one mile on the dirt.

Secret Circle, a 2-year-old son of Eddington out of the Dixieland Band mare Ragtime Hope, races for owner Mike Pegram.

May Day Rose preps for La Brea with bullet work

Multiple graded stakes winner May Day Rose put in a nice work for trainer Bob Baffert this morning at Santa Anita in preparation for the $300,000 La Brea Stakes on Dec. 31. With Martin Garcia up, May Day Rose went six furlongs in 1:11.4 – the fastest of eight works at the distance.

Winner of the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita and Grade 3 Railbird Stakes at Hollywood Park this year, May Day Rose exits a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. The 3-year-old Rockport Harbor filly, owned by Kaleem Shah, is seeking her first Grade 1 victory in the La Brea.

“I’m very happy with the way she is coming into the race,” said Baffert. “When she works that well, she really runs a big race.”

Secret Circle works at Santa Anita

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle worked in company at Santa Anita Thursday morning, Dec. 15 for trainer Bob Baffert. With jockey Martin Garcia up, Secret Circle was timed in :49.40 for 4 furlongs.

Secret Circle, a 2-year-old son of Eddington out of the Dixieland Bank mare Ragtime Hope, races for owner Mike Pegram.

In the video, Baffert narrates the work and provides commentary afterwards.

Trainer Bob Baffert remembers Indian Charlie

Trainer Bob Baffert spoke this morning at Santa Anita about Indian Charlie, who was euthanized at the age of 16 following a battle with a rare form of cancer.

Indian Charlie’s brief but thrilling racing career for Baffert and owners Hal and Pattie Earnhardt and John R. Gaines Racing included a victory in the 1998 Santa Anita Derby and a third-place finish in that year’s Kentucky Derby.

Indian Charlie went on to sire 65 stakes winners, including Uncle Mo, Fleet Indian, and Indian Blessing, champion 2-year-old filly of 2007 and champion female sprinter of 2008 who was also bred and owned by Earnhardt and trained by Baffert.

“He was a beautiful horse. He was a super star from day one,” Baffert recalled.

“He gave us so much joy and happiness that he will always be remembered as one of my great horses.”

To read more, click here.

Hoorayforhollywood works at Santa Anita for Bob Baffert

Hoorayforhollywood put in a nice work Tuesday morning, Dec. 14 at Santa Anita with jockey Martin Garcia up. Hoorayforhollywood was clocked in :59.40 for the 5-furlong breeze – the 4th fastest work of 34 at that distance.

The 3-year-old son of Storm Cat out of the Wild Rush mare Hollywood Story is trained by Bob Baffert for George Krikorian.

Never worse than second in four career starts, Hoorayforhollywood was most recently runner-up to Decisive Moment in the $125,000 Delta Mile on Nov. 19 at Delta Downs. He is being pointed to the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on opening day at Santa Anita, Dec. 26.

“We’re trying to get him to relax and come off the pace,” Baffert said.

“Today, it seemed like he relaxed really well on the backside, and when we asked him to go he just took off.

“I like what I’m seeing, so I’m going to change his style to come off the pace; and that’s what we’ll try to do in the Malibu.”

Liaison works for Bob Baffert, targets CashCall Futurity

Liaison, winner of the Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park on Nov. 12, recorded a speedy work at Santa Anita Tuesday morning for trainer Bob Baffert. The clockers gave him a time of 1:00.6 for 5 furlongs, the 8th fastest of 24 works at the distance. Jockey Martin Garcia was aboard for the work. The video takes you from Baffert's barn to the track and back and includes commentary by Baffert on the workout.

Liaison, a 2-year-old colt by Indian Charlie out of the Victory Gallop mare Galloping Gal, won his last two starts for owner Arnold Zetcher. According to Baffert, he is on target for the $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park on Dec. 17.

So Brilliant gallops at Santa Anita for Bob Baffert

So Brilliant, winner of the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue on Thanksgiving Day at Hollywood Park, gets out for some morning exercise at Santa Anita.

One of trainer Bob Baffert’s more promising two-year-olds, So Brilliant was making only his second career start in the Hollywood Prevue after winning in his racing debut at Santa Anita on Oct. 22. The gray son of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Wekiva Springs mare Merry Me in Spring is owned by Arnold Zetcher, who has indicated that So Brilliant is likely headed for the Grade 1, $750,000 Cash Call Futurity at Hollywood Park on Dec. 17.

Happy Halloween from Clockers' Corner Santa Anita

Rosie Ybarra the zombie

Things are looking pretty spooky at Clockers’ Corner these chilly mornings. Thanks to server Rosie Ybarra – the well-known maven of Clockers’ Corner who serves up yummy concoctions to trainers, riders, owners and race fans every morning – there is no shortage of Halloween spirit at the iconic Santa Anita breakfast spot.

Ybarra traditionally decorates her food service window and much of the surrounding area to celebrate the holiday. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and jockeys and trainers often join in the fun with their own spooky costumes. Enjoy the photos!

Animated pirate statue and a skeleton reading the Racing Form

Bob Baffert having fun with the pirate

Is that a giant rat?

Eurorears heading for Breeders' Cup Sprint

Eurorears and Martin Garcia at Santa Anita Oct. 10

Euroears breezed four furlongs in :48.4 under jockey Martin Garcia on Santa Anita's main track Monday in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Sprint on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Bob Baffert said he was happy with the way Eurorears went. Judging by the way he came trotting home, shown in this short video clip, the horse looks pretty happy with himself.

Always A Princess Works for Trainer Bob Baffert

Always A Princess put in a bullet work Sunday morning at Santa Anita in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Friday.

Always A Princess, Santa Anita, 11-1-09

Bob Baffert with owners Arnold and Ellen Zetcher

Owners Arnold and Ellen Zetcher were on hand to watch the work with trainer Bob Baffert as Always A Princess went 5 furlongs in :58.4 with Joey Steiner up.

Trainer Snapshot: Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert

An introduction is hardly necessary for Bob Baffert. One of the most successful trainers in the history of horse racing, Baffert was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame on August 14, along with Silverbulletday, the champion filly he trained.

Baffert is a three-time winner of the Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer and has compiled seven Breeders’ Cup wins and eight victories in Triple Crown races. He has campaigned an astonishing roster of racing's superstars, including Eclipse Award champions Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Silverbulletday, Chilukki, Point Given, Vindication, War Emblem, Indian Blessing, and Midnight Lute.

The fourth of seven children, Baffert was born in Nogales, Arizona and grew up on his family’s cattle ranch. He got his start with horses at a very young age, grooming and galloping Quarter Horses owned by his father. After graduating from high school in 1971, he spent a year pursuing his dream of becoming a jockey, winning 30 races. He then attended the University of Arizona, graduating from the Racetrack Industry Program with a Bachelor of Science degree.


He began his training career with Quarter Horses and trained four Quarter Horse champions including Gold Coast Express. He made the transition to Thoroughbreds in the late 1980s, in large part due to the encouragement of owners Mike Pegram and Hal Earnhardt.

Baffert currently resides in Arcadia, Calif., along with his wife, Jill, a former news anchor at WLKY-32 in Louisville. He is the father of five children: Taylor, Canyon, Forest, Savannah and Bode.

In addition to his many accomplishments as a trainer, Baffert has done much to help the sport of racing. In 1997, he received the Mr. Fitz Award from the National Turf Writers Association, an award presented annually to an individual or group for typifying the spirit of racing. In 1998, he received the Big Sport of Turfdom Award from the Turf Publicists of America. This annual award goes to a person or group who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with the media and racing publicists.

In this special Trainer Snapshot video interview, Baffert talks about the emotional experience of receiving Hall of Fame honors and reflects on his life and career.

Zensational Pointing for Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar

I caught the tail end of Zensational's morning bath at Del Mar Wednesday morning, as well as Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert talking about this very fast 3-year-old son of Unbridled's Song.

Baffert said Zensational is pointing for the Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Zensational was an impressive winner of the Bing Crosby Stakes on Aug. 8, his second consecutive win in a Grade 1 sprint. He won the Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park July 5, his stakes debut. Owned by Zayat Stables, he has won 4 of 6 starts and $429,300.

Internallyflawless Returns in San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar

Internallyflawless looked beautiful this afternoon schooling in the paddock at Del Mar in preparation for Saturday's $150,000 San Clemente Handicap, a one-mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies. The daughter of Giant's Causeway will be making her 2009 debut for trainer Bob Baffert. She ran second in the Grade 3 Miesque Stakes during Hollywood Park's fall turf festival, but has been rested since last December following a last-place finish in the Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita.

The San Clemente is a major prep for the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1-1/8 miles on the turf on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Mr. Big Schools for Friday Night Feature at Hollywood Park

Mr. Big certainly is aptly named! I caught this photo of the eye-catching bay schooling in Hollywood Park's paddock in the lovely spring weather Thursday afternoon.

Mike Smith has the mount on Mr. Big for trainer Bob Baffert in tomorrow's 7th race at Hollywood Park -- an allowance race at one mile on the turf.