In early March, it seemed reasonable to think that Bob Baffert could have as many as 9 potential Kentucky Derby starters.  One by one, his horses fell off the radar, culminating in Monday’s announcement that he would not have a Derby starter.  Let’s take a look at how 9 became 0.

After his win in the Southwest, Super Ninety Nine was among Baffert’s best Derby hopefuls.  He went back to Oaklawn for the Rebel and tired badly late after chasing the pace.  The SA Derby was his shot at redemption, and he once again weakened in crunch time.  Sprints are in his future.

Flashback’s narrow mis in the San Felipe was his best race to date and seemed to set him up as one of California’s best Derby prospects.  He was injured coming out of the SA Derby and won’t be seen anytime soon.

Code West narrowly missed in the Risen Star and needed just a 3^rd place finish or better in the Louisiana Derby.  He missed the mark by tiring badly late, taking the Derby out of the equation.

Shakin It Up went to Sunland for his first stakes try in a route race.  He finished fourth behind stablemate Govenor Charlie in that race, and never really threatened for a placing.

Tiz the Truth scored a romping maiden win the same day Flashback won the Robert Lewis.  He ran into a myriad of injury problems and is currently sidelined.

Baffert rushed Power Broker back to contest the SA Derby in his first start of 2013.  He was a total no-show, checking in a well-beaten fifth at 5-1.  He is still training for a 2^nd start of the year.

Den’s Legacy had numerous opportunities to stamp himself a Derby candidate, but he came up empty in each try.  He is a useful horse who has picked up a number of checks, but whether he is legitimately graded stakes caliber is still a question.

War Academy was supposed to be a last ditch Derby candidate after winning an allowance race in March.  The Arkansas Derby was his Derby prep, and he went off as the favorite in a field of nine.  He was pulled up on the backstretch and is in training at Churchill Downs for a possible start in the Preakness.

Govenor Charlie was supposed to be Baffert’s lone Derby starter.  He won the Sunland Derby in late March and was training for the Run for the Roses early last month.  An injury to his foot derailed those plans, and the reports on his training recently at Churchill have been ghastly.

It has been a difficult spring for Baffert, even with Game on Dude starting his season 3-0.  He will certainly be back on the 3YO scene very soon, but this was as deflating a series as you’ll see for a Hall of Famer of Baffert’s caliber.

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