Bob Baffert, a six-time Kentucky Derby winner, aims for his seventh victory in 2026 after returning to Churchill Downs following a suspension. His horse, Potente, is expected to compete in the race.
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Bob Baffert is aiming for a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby victory in 2026.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame trainer returns to Churchill Downs for the 152nd Run for the Roses after serving a lengthy suspension that kept him out of Triple Crown races in recent years.
Here’s what to know about Baffert.
Potente, trained by Baffert, is expected to compete in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. The horse will enter the Kentucky Derby off a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4. He currently ranks 10th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 100.
Learn more: Potente horse trainer, jockey, owner for Kentucky Derby 2026
Baffert is competing to win his seventh Kentucky Derby on May 2. He is tied for the most Derby victories by a single trainer, with his six putting him alongside the legendary .
Bob Baffert is known for being a successful horse trainer with six Kentucky Derby victories.
Bob Baffert was suspended due to violations related to medication rules in horse racing.
Potente is a horse trained by Bob Baffert that is expected to compete in the 2026 Kentucky Derby after ranking 10th on the points leaderboard.
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place in 2026 at Churchill Downs.
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Baffert also holds all-time marks for Triple Crown wins by a trainer (17) and most Preakness Stakes victories (eight; 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018 and 2023). He's one of only two men to train multiple Triple Crown thoroughbreds, joining James E. "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons.
Mystik Dan, right, wins the Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, on May 4, 2024. Forever Young, with Ryusei Sakai up, center, finished third and Sierra Leone, left, with Tyler Gaffalione up, finished second.
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Mystik Dan, right, wins the Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, on May 4, 2024. Forever Young, with Ryusei Sakai up, center, finished third and Sierra Leone, left, with Tyler Gaffalione up, finished second.
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Mystik Dan, right, wins the Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, on May 4, 2024. Forever Young, with Ryusei Sakai up, center, finished third and Sierra Leone, left, with Tyler Gaffalione up, finished second.
Baffert was suspended from Churchill Downs after the 2021 Run for the Roses. The horse trainer appeared to have his seventh Kentucky Derby win when Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first during the 147th race.
A week later, however, Baffert announced Medina Spirit had tested positive for betamethasone. This led to a disqualification, a suspension and numerous lawsuits. Mandaloun was named the official Kentucky Derby winner for 2021.
Baffert faced three years of suspensions after the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Baffert returned to the 2025 Kentucky Derby with two contenders. Rodriguez scratched before the race, and Citizen Bull finished in 15th place.
Contributing: Jason Frakes, Ryan Black and Prince James Story. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bob Baffert returns to Kentucky Derby in 2026. About trainer, suspension