LOS ANGELES — Bob Baffert and his owners have elected not to transfer any of their promising 3-year-olds to other trainers in order to make them eligible for this year's Kentucky Derby. So, it's not just Baffert who will be missing from the most well-known horse race in the world, there also won't be any Baffert horses.

"Nobody is going to transfer their horses," Baffert told The Los Angeles Times. "I just remain focused on training my horses and competing in the big races."

Baffert is in the midst of a two-year ban, that was inexplicably extended at least a year despite no rules violations. Churchill Downs Inc. implemented the penalty after Medina Spirit tested positive for a legal medication but not legal on race day in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. The horse was subsequently disqualified as the winner of the race.

So, barring an unexpected change of heart by Churchill Downs, Baffert will not be in this year's Derby.

"It's out of my hands, I just want what's best for the game," Baffert said.

The last two years, Baffert has transferred his best horses to former assistant Tim Yakteen. But not this year.

Baffert nominated 18 horses for the Triple Crown and all of them will be eligible to run in the other two legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. The non-moves show the intensity of the loyalty that his owners have for the hall of fame trainer.

His two best prospects are believed to be Nysos, undefeated in two starts, and Muth, winner of the American Pharoah and San Vicente Stakes.

Nysos runs this Saturday in the Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita and Muth is being pointed to the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. This Saturday, Wynstock, owned by Los Alamitos executives Dr. Ed Allred and Jack Liebeau, will run in the Southwest Stakes, also at Oaklawn. Baffert also has Coach Prime and Wine Me Up, but it's unclear what their next race will be.

There was the thought that when Baffert announced last week that he was dropping all litigation against Churchill Downs Inc. that it could thaw the freeze that occurred between the two parties.

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