Hall of Famer Baffert wins No. 2,000

photo by Gary Jones

Free Pourin’s victory in the third race Sunday at Hollywood Park gave Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert the 2,000th win of his career.

Baffert, 57, has won three runnings of the Kentucky Derby, with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, and War Emblem in 2002. Baffert, the Eclipse-winning trainer from 1997-1999, trained 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given, and his Eclipse Award winners include Hall of Famers Silver Charm and Silverbulletday. Baffert was the trainer of Lookin At Lucky, who is the favorite to win the Eclipse Award for top 3-year-old of 2010.

Free Pourin, owned by Mike Pegram and ridden by Joe Talamo, paid $11.60 for his win, which came in a six-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-olds.

Baffert closing in on win No. 2,000

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has two chances to win the 2,000th race of his career at Hollywood Park today.

Baffert starts the maiden Star Presence in the first race and Queenie Marini, in the third race, an optional claimer for 2-year-old fillies.

Baffert won the 1,999th race of his career with the promising 3-year-old Alcindor on Sunday.

Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Hall of Fame connections

By NICOLE RUSSO

 

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
Shig McGaughey (’04) trains Air Support

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Wayne Lukas (’99) trains Hamazing Destiny

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
Kent Desormeaux (’04) rides Canadian Ballet

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Mike Smith (’03) rides Jaycito

Breeders’ Cup Mile
Trainer Bill Mott (’98) and jockey Mike Smith (’03) team up with Proviso

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
Trainer Wayne Lukas (’99) and jockey Mike Smith (’03) team up with Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird
Nick Zito (’05) trains Morning Line, the aptly-named morning line favorite

Breeders’ Cup Turf
Richard Mandella (’01) trains Champ Pegasus
Bill Mott (’98) trains Al Khali

Breeders’ Cup Classic
Mike Smith (’03) rides unbeaten defending champion Zenyatta
Kent Desormeaux (’04) rides Paddy O’Prado
Bob Baffert (’09) trains Lookin At Lucky

Plenty of Hall of Fame connections on Friday’s Breeders’ Cup card

KENT DESORMEAUX

(photo by Brien Bouyea)

EDGAR PRADO

(photo by Brien Bouyea)

BILL MOTT

(photo by Brien Bouyea)

By NICOLE RUSSO

Here is a look at the Hall of Fame connections on Friday’s Breeders’ Cup card at Churchill Downs. First post is 2 p.m. and the first Breeders’ Cup race is the Marathon at 4:10 p.m. Keep checking in throughout the next few days for Nicole’s reports from Louisville, Ky.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Edgar Prado (’08) rides Arch Support.
Kent Desormeaux (’04) rides Fancy Point.

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Jonathan Sheppard (’90) trains defending champion Informed Decision,
Bob Baffert (’09) trains Gabby’s Golden Gal.
D. Wayne Lukas (’99) trains also-eligible Tidal Pool.
Mike Smith (’03) rides Sweet August Moon. He is named on also-eligible Tidal Pool, should his mount scratch.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
Mike Smith (’03) rides Izshelegal.
Bob Baffert (’09) trains A Z Warrior.

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Edgar Prado (’08) rides Shared Account.
Kent Desormeaux (’04) rides Red Desire.
Jonathan Sheppard (’90) trains Forever Together, winner of this race in 2008.

Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic
Trainer Bill Mott (’98) and jockey Kent Desormeaux (’04) team up with Unrivaled Belle.
Shug McGaughey (’04) trains Persistently.