LOUISVILLE, Ky. _ What a difference two minutes makes.
During a year in which myriad factors complicated the effort to stage the most prestigious contest in Thoroughbred racing, yet another curveball awaited Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in his quest to make more history.
In the moments leading up to the 146th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, one of Baffert's two contenders got spooked in the paddock area. Multiple graded stakes champion Thousand Words reared up and fell to the ground, breaking the arm of Baffert's assistant trainer, Jimmy Barnes. Though he was given a clean bill of health afterward by the track veterinarian, Thousand Words _ who at the time was the 10-1 fourth choice _ was scratched from the race.
For those who believe in omens, that's about as bad as they come. But tough luck soon turned to triumph for Baffert.
Authentic, who broke from far outside post No. 18, shot to the lead out of the gate and scored a wire-to-wire victory in the Run for the Roses with a time of 2:00.61, holding off heavy favorite Tiz the Law by 1 \ lengths.
Baffert is now tied with the legendary Ben A. Jones for most wins by a trainer in Kentucky Derby history with six. Jones had the record all to himself since 1952. He now shares it with Baffert, who after the race said, "I don't feel I'm done yet."
Baffert was clearly emotional in the moments after the victory, telling NBC analyst Kenny Rice, "It was crazy what happened in the last 20 minutes.
"We were yelling, 'Do it for Jimmy' the whole way. It's just unbelievable."
While he was clearly ecstatic over Saturday's historic victory, Baffert kept things in perspective. After the race he acknowledged the grievances of members of the Louisville community who continue to protest in the wake of the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black EMT who in March was killed by Louisville police while sleeping in her home.
"I feel bad for everybody. There's a lot of frustration going on here," Baffert said. "I feel their pain, I feel for them. That's why it's really hard ... I know we won the Derby and all that but there's a lot of people out there that are just suffering. That's why it's very humbling for me to win this race during this time because ... It's crazy out there. Every day we wake up, I'm like everybody else, 'Is this really happening?' I'd love to be up here pounding my chest because I just won six but I feel for everybody in the city."
Though he'd been to the Kentucky Derby winner's circle five previous times, this victory was even more special to Baffert because it was so unexpected. Going in, Baffert said he wasn't sure Tiz the Law was beatable.
"To be able to pull it off with this horse is an unbelievable feeling," Baffert said. "I feel like I just won my first Derby."
To mark a historic victory amid unprecedented times, Baffert celebrated in an unprecedented way. At the post-race press conference Baffert, who said he doesn't drink alcohol, downed a mint julep.
"It tastes pretty good," Baffert said. "It would taste better after six. I needed that."
With any luck, next May Baffert will chase Kentucky Derby championship No. 7. Perhaps he'll even celebrate with his second mint julep.
