Saturday’s Grade 1, US$1 million Pennsylvania Derby took a hit Tuesday when Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert announced that Medina Spirit, the 2-1 morning-line favourite, will not run.
Speaking by phone from his base in California, Baffert said he pulled the plug after thinking more about the draw for the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby, a race he has won three times. What it came down to, Baffert said, was the draw.
He didn’t like that Medina Spirit was going to start from post position 9. Medina Spirit, who does his best running from on the lead, had two other solid speed horses – Hot Rod Charlie (post 7) and Midnight Bourbon (post 8) inside of him.
“I don’t like the way he drew, I wasn’t happy with the draw,” Baffert said. “I didn’t like the way the race was setting up. There is too much speed. It’s a tough race. I have a lot of respect for the other two horses. There is not much separating them, but I would be at a disadvantage. That’s why I’m passing.”
Medina Spirit has won three of seven starts this year, including his most recent race, the US$100,000 Shared Belief at Del Mar on Aug. 29. That was his first start since a third-place finish in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 15.
Baffert said Medina Spirit will stay in California and be pointed to the $300,000 Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita on Oct. 2.
“If I am going to run in the Breeders’ Cup (at Del Mar on Nov. 6), his best chance is to stay home and run here,” Baffert said. “I was looking forward to it (Pennsylvania Derby). It’s a great race with him in there. I want to do what is best for the horse. He is doing well and I don’t want to knock him out. It’s a long trip and it’s a tough race.
“When I saw that draw, right away I said, 'oh man!' " he said. “Part of my success is knowing when to run, what is right for the horse. You must manage these horses the right way. When you feel something is not right, you just have to wait, you know? He could still win from out there, but I don’t want to put him through that. I am thinking about him.”
Baffert also said that Private Mission, who was 9-2 on the morning line of the US$1 million (G1) Cotillion at Parx on Saturday, also will stay home in California. Baffert said she will be pointed to the $200,000 Zenyatta (G2) at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 3.
