Word: baffert
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Dates: during 1997-1997
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...more refreshing aspects of Baffert's personality is his willingness to admit his mistakes. He also puts a lot of stock in fate, and he truly believes Silver Charm would not be racing for the $5 million Visa bonus that goes with winning the Triple Crown had it not been for owner Bob Lewis, a Budweiser distributor who has invested a lot of money and love in Thoroughbreds. "Bob is driving the bus," he says. "Gary and I are just along for the ride." The bus ride began when Baffert ran into the Lewises at a Huntington Beach, Calif., restaurant...
...some ways Baffert is a reward for horse-racing writers. They loved it when he told them the week before this year's Derby, "This time I brought a horse with a longer nose." They loved it when he filled out a questionnaire at a local hair salon and, under occupation, wrote down "porn star." They loved it when he helped Stevens up onto Silver Charm just before the Derby and told him, "May the horse be with you." Most of all, they loved it when his horse won a sensational stretch drive with favorite Captain Bodgit. In the winner...
...ship Silver Charm to Pimlico for the Preakness and cross his fingers. Because of its shorter distance and tighter turns, the Preakness is the race he thought Silver Charm might not win. Indeed, bettors made him the third choice, behind Captain Bodgit and Free House. In the home stretch, Baffert thought, Free House would hold off Silver Charm. But along came Captain Bodgit, and Silver Charm responded to this new threat, catching Free House at the wire by the bob of his nose. "Free House is a buddy of his from California," Baffert says. "Captain Bodgit he doesn't like...
...Says Baffert: "If my four kids are any indication, this Triple Crown thing is good for the sport. They finally think it's cool what I do. The other night I got to throw out the first ball in Anaheim Stadium, and my boys met Ken Griffey Jr. Next week I'm taking them to New York for the Belmont. Maybe they'll go to a show or a Yankee game...
Maybe they'll get to go with Mom and Dad and Silver Charm into the winner's circle. If that happens, does Baffert have anything special planned, along the lines of his Derby dance and Preakness pose? "Actually," he says, "I've been rehearsing with my daughter Savannah, who's the same age as Silver Charm. When the camera is on her, I've instructed her to smile and then scream, "Show me the money...