(Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

Empire Maker–Untouched Talent

Trainer:  Bob Baffert
Jockey:  Mike Smith
Owner:  Zayat Stables
Record:  4 – 2 – 2 – 0
Earnings:  $704,800
Last Race:  Arkansas Derby, 1st

After posting a dominating win in the Arkansas Derby last time out and whispers began circulating of being made the early Derby favorite, critics of the lightly-raced Bodemeister have definitely backed off a bit.  Still, the last horse to win the Derby without racing as a two-year-old was Apollo in 1882.  While preferring to run close to the pace, Bodemeister’s pedigree and recent performances have indicated that distance should not be a problem.

Trainer Bob Baffert is recovering from a heart attack in March, but don’t think that this veteran trainer has lost a step with his three-year-olds.  He had Bodemeister breezing at Churchill Downs earlier this week, and ready to run.  Like always, post position and the size of the field may present problems, but he has shown to be quick out of the gate in previous races.