Baffert has strong hand for chaotic Kentucky Derby
April 10, 2011ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Bob Baffert is headed toward the Kentucky Derby with three contenders, giving the Hall of Fame trainer one of his strongest hands in years. Yet with four weeks to go, he isn't getting cocky, especially after a weekend of upsets along the Derby trail.
Uncle Mo dropped from the unbeaten ranks with a thud, while Midnight Interlude, the least accomplished of Baffert's Derby candidates, ran his way into the suddenly chaotic picture with a narrow victory in the Santa Anita Derby.
Uncle Mo's invincibility took a major hit with his third-place finish in the Wood Memorial, won by longshot Toby's Corner. He had been undefeated, including a runaway win in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and was threatening to turn the May 7 Derby into a one-horse show.