Bob Baffert is tied for the most Preakness 2022 wins by a trainer with seven. Medina Spirit, if he runs, or Concert Tour could break the tie with R. Wyndham Walden and put Baffert ahead of the pack.
It has been a long week for the controversial trainer, who claimed he won’t be in attendance at Pimlico. There are still questions surrounding the eligibility of Medina Spirit after returning a positive drug test, so Concert Tour might be his only hope.
Baffert has trained seven Preakness Stakes winners, starting with Silver Charm in 1997. We look at all seven winners of the Triple Crown second leg.
Justify – 2018
Justify was a high-profile colt that went on to win the Triple Crown. The son of Scat Daddy handled the awful track conditions best to score by a half-length over Bravazo and Tenfold.
He jumped well but was challenged throughout the race by Good Magic. The pair set moderate sectionals before Good Magic dropped off and Justify withstood the late challenge of Bravazo.
We couldn’t be more excited to buy the first SH Justify on offer with one of our original co-owners in him @NewgateFarm 👑 👑👑 pic.twitter.com/cpD8dHHrdV
China Horse Club (@Chinahorseclub) May 6, 2021
His breeding rights had been sold to Coolmore for $60 million prior to the Preakness Stakes.
Controversy surrounded the win after he returned a positive drug test. It was largely swept under the rug, and when questioned about his spate of recent positive results, Baffert had this to say.
“There are problems in racing,” reported NPR.org, “but it’s not Bob Baffert.”
American Pharoah – 2015
The Baffert-trained colt was the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. His win in the Preakness Stakes was effortless, scoring by seven lengths.
In what were sloppy conditions after a huge downpour in the morning, American Pharoah broke well off the inside barrier and never gave the opposition a look-in.
American Pharoah was one of the most devastating Preakness Stakes winners in the history of the event and it gave Baffert his sixth win.
Looking at Lucky – 2010
Coming off an unlucky run in the Kentucky Derby, Looking at Lucky was on the second line of betting with the online sportsbook for the 2010 Preakness Stakes.
He settled behind the speed before holding off a late challenge from First Dude and Jackson Bend. The colt would end up with nine wins from 13 starts in a career cut short by illnesses.
Looking at Lucky was another purchase for Coolmore Stud, where he stood. His first foal was born in 2012 and he has left the likes of Accelerate and 2019 Kentucky Derby winner Country House.
War Emblem – 2002
War Emblem was the second consecutive win for Baffert and ownership group The Thoroughbred Corp after scoring with Point Given in 2001.
The son of Our Emblem won the Kentucky Derby, so entered the Preakness Stakes as the leading fancy. He sat behind the leaders before taking the lead on the home turn before holding off the fast-finishing Magic Weisner.
While he had many faces, there will only be one War Emblem. Beyond thankful for the memories and lessons he taught me (most importantly…life was always on his terms) and I truly consider him one of the smartest horses I’ve been around. Rest easy champ. pic.twitter.com/XqG8BCQMXs
Julie Witt (@juliawitte9) March 11, 2020
A Triple Crown bid was lost at the gates when he stumbled upon leaving the barriers in the Belmont Stakes. The crowd of 103,222 spectators went home disappointed, but War Emblem’s Preakness win was impressive.
Point Given – 2001
Point Given isn’t a name that everyone remembers, but he was unfortunate not to win the Triple Crown in 2001.
He was favorite to win the Kentucky Derby but the repercussions of an earlier foot infection played up on race day. Despite the defeat, he would win the Preakness Stakes two weeks later.
He was on one rein for most of the straight before finally getting on the right leg and kicking away for a 2½-length win.
Point Given then won the Belmont Stakes by 12¼ lengths and he tied for the fourth fastest time in history.
Real Quiet – 1998
“The Fish” was another Triple Crown contender for Baffert. Real Quiet won the Kentucky Derby before winning the Preakness Stakes odds. However, it was his defeat in the Belmont Stakes that made headlines.
He was beaten by a nose after jockey Kent Desormeaux went strongly from the gates. It was a ride that was heavily criticized, especially because Real Quiet was trying to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed.
He would win six races throughout his career, which ended when he suffered a fractured splint bone.
His legacy would include a street named in Virginia. However, it was misspelled “Real Quite Ct.”
Silver Charm – 1997
The first of Baffert’s seven Preakness Stakes winners, Silver Charm was also one of the best.
He finished his career with 12 wins and nine placings from 24 starts, amassing almost $7 million in stakes.
Having won the Kentucky Derby with a late finish, the same thing happened in the Preakness odds. He took the lead close to the line and held off Captain Bodgit and Free House.
His second placing in the Belmont Stakes was gut-wrenching for connections, but he would later win the Dubai World Cup and place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
