Momentum gaining for Derby trainer
Bob Baffert looking for third straight win at Breeders' Cup with Zensational horse
Alicia Wincze - McClatchy Newspapers
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports
The surface "wasn't fair when it came out; it was so unfair," Baffert said. "I thought if that was the future, I'm going to have to get a job selling shoes at Nordstrom or something; I can't do this. It was going to ruin the game."
Baffert said he was feeling good about all his prospects after putting them through their final works the last two days, but the combined brilliance and consistency of his top sprinter and leading juvenile are what really have him on pins and needles of late.
Between the two of them, Zensational and Lookin At Lucky have five Grade I scores the last four months.
The 3-year-old Zensational, a son of Unbridled's Song, has won five of seven career starts, including his 2 1/4-length score in the Grade I Pat O'Brien Stakes, and Lookin At Lucky has yet to taste defeat in four career outings, most recently the Grade I Norfolk Stakes Oct. 4 at Santa Anita.
"I have confidence in those two, Zen and Lucky. The other two are doing great; they just need something to happen," Baffert said. "Lucky, he's been ready for two weeks. He just does everything and has a great mind.
"Zensational put in a brilliant half today (four furlongs in 45 1/5). It looked like he was galloping; it was ridiculous. He needs to prove it against top competition, but that's what the Breeders' Cup is all about."
Baffert said he was feeling good about all his prospects after putting them through their final works the last two days, but the combined brilliance and consistency of his top sprinter and leading juvenile are what really have him on pins and needles of late.
Between the two of them, Zensational and Lookin At Lucky have five Grade I scores the last four months.
The 3-year-old Zensational, a son of Unbridled's Song, has won five of seven career starts, including his 2 1/4-length score in the Grade I Pat O'Brien Stakes, and Lookin At Lucky has yet to taste defeat in four career outings, most recently the Grade I Norfolk Stakes Oct. 4 at Santa Anita.
"I have confidence in those two, Zen and Lucky. The other two are doing great; they just need something to happen," Baffert said. "Lucky, he's been ready for two weeks. He just does everything and has a great mind.
"Zensational put in a brilliant half today (four furlongs in 45 1/5). It looked like he was galloping; it was ridiculous. He needs to prove it against top competition, but that's what the Breeders' Cup is all about."
Be the first to comment on this story