Arabian Lion in a Santa Anita work. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Baffert horses nominated to Gotham under trainer Yakteen
By Maribeth Kalinich
A total of 40 horses nominated to the G3 $300K Gotham on March 4 at the Big A which offers 50-20-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Arabian Lion, Hejazi and Carmel Road, all who have been seen within the last two days galloping in full Baffert-attire at Santa Anita, are nominated to the Gotham under former Bob Baffert assistant trainer Tim Yakteen’s name.
While horses currently conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Baffert are not eligible to earn Kentucky Derby qualifying points due to his two-year ban, the owners have the option of transferring their horses to another trainer by February 28.
While Yakteen has not been actively associated with Baffert or his barn for the past year, will this separation comply with the new Triple Crown rules posted below?
Arabian Lion is owned by Zendan Racing Stables LLC, the Thoroughbred racing venture of Saudi Arabian businessman and philanthropist Amr F. Zedan, a loyal owner to Baffert and owner of Taiba.
With a fifth-place finish in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity and fourth in the G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes the Justify colt and with another trainer would have earned five Kentucky Derby qualifying points that still can be transferred.
The 3-year-old chestnut last worked Feb. 19 handily handling three furlongs in 36.20.
Also owned by Zendan Hejazi was third in the G1 American Pharoah Stakes Oct. 8, 2022 but just recently broke his maiden Jan. 15. He would have earned three qualifying points for his American Pharoah performance.
The dark bay Bernardini colt out of Medaglia d’Oro mare G Note worked five furlongs handily Feb. 19 in 59.20 ranking 1/62.
Carmel Road is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E., Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.
The bay Quality Road colt finished second in the Los Alamitos Futurity and would have earned four qualifying points.
Baffert currently has 12 horse who would have collected Derby qualifying points. All with the exception of Newgate who is out due to injury are eligible to be transferred to another trainer.
Cave Rock and Hard to Figure are owned by Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weltman
Arabian Knight is also owned Zendan Racing. The recent winner of the G2 Southwest at Oaklawn hold a possible 20 qualifying points but is still in the Baffert barn. His last work was at Santa Anita on Feb. 13 handily going three furlongs in a blazing 35.60.
National Treasure, Reincarnate, Worcester, Fort Brag and Gandolfini are owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.
Worcester is positioned to make his next start in the UAE Derby, a Derby prep race, at Meydan that offered 100-40-30-20-10 Derby qualifying points.
Last year Baffert transferred Taiba and Messier to former assistant Tim Yakteen for the Derby.
As we know, Taiba is back in the Baffert barn and had a very productive follow up to a lackluseter twelfth-place Kentucky Derby Performance. In his last start the Gun Runner colt won the G1 RUNHAPPY Malibu.
Back in the Baffert barn Messier didn’t make a start until November 5 in an Allowance Optional Claiming race where he did not fare well. He bled and was walked off.
The Empire Maker colt never regained his form. He ran in the Malibu on Dec. 16 finishing eighth. On Jan 28 he had a fourth-place finish in the G2 San Pasqual.
The following is new language instituted this year in the Triple Crown nominations terms and conditions:
“For purposes of this preference, the Road to the Kentucky Derby Point System shall mean the point values assigned to the first four finishing positions in each race comprising the Road to the Kentucky Derby as published by CDRT. Points in Road to the Kentucky Derby races will only be awarded to horses who: 1) compete without administration of Furosemide (Lasix) within 24 hours of the Road to the Kentucky Derby race; and 2) are not trained by any individual who is suspended from racing in the 2023 Kentucky Derby, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed, supervised, or advised by a suspended trainer (“suspended trainer or affiliates”). Should a horse trained by a suspended trainer or affiliates finish in a position that would have earned points in a Road to the Kentucky Derby race, the points associated with that finish will be vacated. Horses under the care of any suspended trainer or affiliates may be transferred to a non-suspended trainer and become eligible for earning points on a forward-looking basis so long as the transfer is complete by February 28, 2023.”
