Since Baffert’s ban only relates to CDI-owned tracks, you can still expect him to play a part in the Triple Crown picture: He’s still allowed to train horses in both the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course and the Belmont Stakes, to be run this year at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park undergoes renovations.

(Because of the configuration of Saratoga’s main track, this year’s Belmont Stakes will be run at 1 1/4 miles instead of the usual 1 1/2 miles at Belmont).

Eighteen Baffert-trained horses (out of 346 in total) were nominated for the Triple Crown this year. Last year, Baffert won the Preakness Stakes with National Treasure.

Baffert’s continued absence from the Kentucky Derby means that one of the most successful trainers in the race’s history won’t get a chance to win the historic 150th edition: Baffert is tied with Ben Jones for the most Derby wins in history with six.

With Baffert horses out of the picture, who is the best Derby contender?

An unfortunate subplot given Baffert’s continued ban from the Derby is that the horse currently viewed as the best in the 3-year-old class won’t get a chance to make the starting gate.

The Baffert-trained Nysos is a perfect 3 for 3 in his racing career. Earlier this month, Nysos (a son of 2016 Derby winner Nyquist) destroyed the field in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park by 7 1/2 lengths. Nysos vacated the 20 qualifying points toward the Derby that came with his dominant win.

So with Nysos out of the Derby picture, who is currently viewed as the race’s top contender?

There’s Timberlake, the current qualifying points leader who has won 3 of 6 career starts, including the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at a fast Oaklawn Park last weekend.

Behind him on the leaderboard are Sierra Leone (a winner in this month’s Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds) and Track Phantom, who ran second in that race.

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