Ralph Siraco: Derby’s winning trainer is used to close finishes

Monday, May 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

FROM THE TIME Bob Baffert began training his father's quarter horses at the small Arizona tracks of Sonoita and Rillito to the time he moved his short-horse stable to the big time of Southern California's Los Alamitos racetrack in 1982, the silver-haired native of Nogales, Ariz., knew his fortunes would be decided by inches. Quarter horse racing winds up in photo finishes as much as 5 o'clock traffic on I-15.

But when the accomplished conditioner made the move to thoroughbred racing in 1991, he could have never dreamed that those close photos would follow him in the most important races of his young thoroughbred-training career.

And the wait for the photo-finish result has to be a world's record.

Long wait

You see, Baffert waited a year for the most important photo finish in America's most important race -- the Kentucky Derby.

Last year, in the 122nd Derby at Louisville, Baffert came to the hallowed grounds of the twin spires with his first Derby starter in Cavonnier. The California-bred sophomore had won the Santa Anita Derby and was training beautifully at Churchill for his race of destiny.

In midstretch, with a deafening crowd, it appeared that Baffert would win his first Derby, as Cavonnier had victory in the shadow of the finish line when, in the middle of the track and flying, was the Louisiana Derby winner Grindstone, who, in the final jump, put a nose defeat on the Baffert storybook ending.

But not before 10 minutes -- that seemed like hours -- of agonizing, excruciating waiting until the number was hung to confirm the bitter result of being so close yet so far. No photo in his quarter horse career had ever been so fine or meant so much.

On Saturday, Baffert returned to the scene of the crime. On Saturday, it was the same place -- different chapter and a different result.

Exciting again

The 123rd running of the Kentucky Derby proved to be just as exciting on Saturday as it was just one year ago.

Unlike last year, this edition featured less quantity and more quality and, unlike last year, Baffert reversed his scenario of Derby finishes. This year, he came to Kentucky with the second-place Santa Anita Derby finisher and parlayed that into a sweet Kentucky Derby victory.

This Run for the Roses had unusual depth with at least five bona fide contenders in the 1 1/4-mile classic. Although the field officially numbered 13 -- the fewest assembled for the Louisville burgoo party since the Spend A Buck Derby of 1985 -- at least five didn't belong in the starting gate with another three just not firing on the chilly May afternoon.

All week leading to the Derby, Baffert was all smiles as his entrant Silver Charm blossomed in the bluegrass and turned in a trio of eye-opening workouts that signaled a readiness for the Derby challenges of Captain Bodgit, Pulpit, Free House, Crypto Star and the remaining would-se Cinderellas of the group.

But this Derby would be as formful as any in recent years and, although the streak of losing Derby favorites extended to 18 years, it didn't miss by much.

Captain favored

Captain Bodgit was sent off as the lukewarm betting choice at 3 to 1 and the Captain did everything he could to break the streak; so much so, that if Baffert's hair wasn't already as white as the driven snow, there would have been thousands of silver follicles with his name on them.

This Derby will be remembered for the excitement it generated and the civil manner in which the pace was determined.

When the starter dispatched the baker's dozen of runners, there wasn't the usual hell-bent-for-leather cavalry charge for the lead. As a matter of fact, Santa Anita Derby winner Free House would up vying with the much-acclaimed Pulpit for the lead, as jockey David Flores elected to go from post position 13, much to the surprise of trainer Paco Gonzales, whose instructions were to stalk the pace not be it.

As Free House and Pulpit dallied through a half-mile in 47:2, jockey Gary Stevens had Silver Charm sitting just off the doings while perfectly placed in fourth. Once Pulpit and Free House reached the three-quarters in 1:12:1, it was obvious that the notorious stretch runner Crypto Star was cooked, and any chance for an upstart upset went down in flames as well.

Now it would be the pace-setting pair that Silver Charm had to deal with and, as the trio turned into the long Churchill homestretch, Silver Charm had collared the twosome and was sailing for victory.

Remember Cavonnier?

Chipping away

Just as Silver Charm had put away the leaders, Captain Bodgit made his way from ninth to fifth with a head of steam. Roaring to the flank of Silver Charm, Captain Bodgit had his rival in sight and, with rider Alex Solis flailing away, veered in as he came to his target. Quickly straightening course, Bodgit relentlessly kept chipping away.

Remember Cavonnier? I'm sure Baffer had that replay going through his mind, as did so many others watching around the world. Stevens was riding for his Hall-of-Fame life and Baffert could only watch and hope that it wasn't Derby d'ej'a vu.

Forget Cavonnier! This was Silver Charm!

Although Baffert and owners Bob and Beverly Lewis had to officially wait those agonizing moments for the photo-finish result and any possible scrutiny from the judges for the near bump by Captain Bodgit, it was evident the Derby photo that Baffert waited a year for was that of victory -- sweet victory.

Composer Burt Bacharach, who is also a thoroughbred owner-breeder, sent Baffert a single rose last week with a message that read, "You'll get the rest on Saturday from Churchill Downs."

He didn't, however, mention those thorns that accompany the rose.