'He has a lot of American Pharoah about him' - new Kentucky Derby favourite set to be Bob Baffert's first runner in race since drugs ban

Bob Baffert has compared his new Kentucky Derby favourite Barnes to his US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah as the trainer builds up to having his first runners in America’s most famous race for four years this spring.

Barnes, owned by Amr Zedan, is the general 10-1 market leader for the first US Classic on May 3, and as short as 7-1, after running out an easy five-and-a-half-length winner of the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita over the weekend.

Barnes was Baffert’s first runner – and winner – at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, for three and a half years when scoring on his debut in November. The US Hall of Fame trainer had been banned by the track’s owners following the positive post-race drugs test for Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

Barnes had drawn much attention even before he hit the track as he was second-top lot at Fasig Tipton Saratoga sale in 2023, with Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing among the underbidders, when he was knocked down to Zedan Racing for $3.2 million (£2.59m/€3.1m).

American Pharoah completes the 'Grand Slam' in the 2015 Breeders' Cup ClassicCredit: Rob Carr

Baffert, who was winning the San Vicente for the 14th time, heaped praise on Barnes and compared him to American Pharoah, who the trainer sent out to win the 2015 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Breeders’ Cup Classic – the so-called ‘Grand Slam’.

“Body-wise Barnes has a lot of American Pharoah in him,” Baffert said. “I knew he would run well, but everyone who has worked him says he has another gear. They are all a little green. The second out[ing] is the most important for all these horses.

“I’m happy for Amr, he had to really stretch to get this horse. When you have a clientele like that, it is everything.”

Barnes is named after Baffert’s longtime assistant, Jimmy Barnes. Baffert suggested to Zedan that they name the horse in Barnes’s honour. Baffert did not tell Barnes about the name until he handed him a halter with the nameplate already engraved and gave it to the assistant to put on the colt.

Kentucky Derby (Churchill Downs, May 3)
Paddy Power: 10 Barnes, 16 East Avenue, Rated By Merit, 20 Citizen Bull, 25 Sovereignty, Patch Adams, Chancer McPatrick, Gaming, 28 bar

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