BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Actress Teri Hatcher cheers during the Kentucky Oaks Friday
(Craig Ruttle photo)
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LOUISVILLE -- The face on the Kentucky Derby souvenir magazine that greets fans today belongs to Bob Baffert. The headline dubs him "Lord of the Derby."
Pretty heady for someone who hadn't won the thing until last year.
"Don't put much stock in that (cover)," he said. "I was probably the only one that would pose for it."
One-liners like those are part of the reason Baffert has become the sport's most entertaining trainer. Coinciding with his on-track success -- he won the Eclipse Award last year as the nation's top trainer -- he admits feeling a bit overexposed.
"I'm trying to promote horse racing, because I want this sport to thrive," he said. "But all the exposure can be too much. I'm running out of material."
How has life changed in the past year?
"I've noticed I have a lot more friends now," he said.
Baffert said he has become a better trainer since his first Derby two years ago, when Cavonnier finished second. He has poured himself into his work, not taking a vacation in that time.
He doesn't downplay the Derby's significance, especially after winning it last year with Silver Charm.
"After I won it, I felt like, "You can take all my wins away from me, but don't take my Derby away,' " he said. "I saw Ron McAnally, and he said, "I've won three Eclipse Awards, but I'll trade you for your one Derby.' "
Updated odds
After Derby wagering began Friday, the odds changed a bit from the morning line.
Favorite Trick was bet down from the 4-1 third choice to the 7-2 favorite. Morning-line favorite Indian Charlie and Cape Town are tied for second choice at 9-2, with Halory Hunter right behind at 5-1.
Here are the rest of the updated odds: Real Quiet 10-1, Artax 10-1, Parade Ground 15-1, Victory Gallop 16-1, Chilito 20-1, Hanuman Highway 19-1, Rock and Roll 30-1, Old Trieste 30-1, Nationalore 60-1, field (Robinwould - Basic Trainee) 30-1.
A total of $1,086,683 was bet on the Derby Friday. Fans can bet the Derby today at Turfway Park, River Downs and Lebanon Raceway. returns
Earlie Fires, who rides long-shot Robinwould today, is appearing in his sixth Derby. But it's his first in 24 years, a hiatus that breaks the old record of 22 years held by Bobby Baird, who rode in the 1956 Derby and not again until '78.
"The Derby isn't the biggest part of it; it's getting to ride a horse that has a shot," Fires said. "I have ridden him enough to know he has the ability to be a good horse."
Fires' best Derby finish was a runner-up showing aboard Francie's Hat in 1968.
• Surprises rule of day
• Sullivan column
• Pitino fulfills dream
• Lacombe diary
• The field
• Neck decides Oaks
• Associated Press coverage
