Nine days after trainer Bob Baffert lost a court decision to overturn his two-year ban from Churchill Downs Inc., four Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects, including impressive Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Arabian Knight , were transferred to the barn of Tim Yakteen. Grade 1-placed National Treasure , graded-stakes placed Fort Bragg, and maiden winner Mr Fisk were among those moved Feb. 26, according to the L.A. Times.
Baffert's ban excludes any horses in his care from being able to compete in the Kentucky Derby for 2022 and 2023, and the ban was announced following a positive drug test by Baffert-trained Medina Spirit in the days after the 2021 running of the race. The rules adopted for this year's Kentucky Derby require horses under the care of a Churchill Downs-suspended trainer to be transferred to a new barn unrelated to the trainer's operation by Feb. 28 in order to be eligible for Derby qualifying points in prep races.
National Treasure, Fort Bragg, and Mr Fisk were all nominated for the March 4 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, which offers points for the Kentucky Derby on a 50-20-15-10-5 scale.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Reincarnate, Arabian Lion , Carmel Road, and Hejazi were moved to Yakteen's barn while Fort Warren was sent to trainer Brittany Russell.
ANGST: Reincarnate Among 3-Year-Olds Moving Away From Baffert
Reincarnate, winner of the Jan. 8 Sham Stakes (G3) for Baffert, was third in yesterday's Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, earning 15 points toward the Derby.
