Baffert seeks fifth Derby with Mor Spirit
One year removed from American Pharoah’s historic Triple Crown run, Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs for Saturday’s 142nd Kentucky Derby with another talented colt in Mor Spirit.
Mor Spirit drew post 17 during Wednesday’s Derby post position selections and is the 12-1 fourth choice. He’ll be ridden by three-time Derby winner Gary Stevens.
“The last time I had the 17 post was with Point Given (2001 Horse of the Year, who wound up fifth in the Derby) and Gary Stevens, and here we are again. It’s funny the way all the speed is on the outside, so it’ll probably be two different races going on,” Baffert said after the draw.
Maybe not on the same level as American Pharoah, Mor Spirit is nevertheless a Grade 1 winner of the Los Alamitos Futurity and has finished worse than second only once in seven starts.
The son of Eskendereya is owned by Michael Petersen and has earned $658,400. The dark bay has recorded a pair of stellar five furlong works since arriving at Churchill Downs, both in :59 4/5 seconds.
Baffert’s Derby winners prior to American Pharoah are Silver Charm (1997, who Gary Stevens also rode), Real Quiet in 1998, and War Emblem in 2000.
The Kentucky Derby is race 12 on Saturday, with a scheduled post time of 6:34 p.m. ET. NBC television coverage runs from 4 – 7:30 p.m.