Our 2021 Kentucky Derby coverage kicks off with the arrival at Churchill Downs of four of trainer Bob Baffert's horses on Friday afternoon. Rain is forecast for Saturday but Friday was mostly cloudy with temperatures in the low 50's during morning training up to the low 60's in the afternoon.

Medina Spirit (Kentucky Derby), owned by Zedan Racing Stables, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 Thursday morning at Santa Anita and arrived at Churchill Downs Friday afternoon. He was second in the Santa Anita Derby last out. Should he win, this would make Baffert the all-time leading trainer in Derby victories with 7, more than the 6 by Ben Jones from 1938-1952. At time of writing he is 16-1 on Oddschecker.com.
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Beautiful Gift (Kentucky Oaks) won the Santa Ysabel Stakes and then was second in the Santa Anita Oaks and is Baffert's best hope for the Kentucky Oaks. At time of writing she is 12-1 on Oddschecker.com.
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Triple Tap, winner of his only start in a maiden special weight on 3/13, was also on the flight to Churchill Downs, after working 4f in 47.60 at Santa Ania on 4/17. He is a half brother to American Pharoah.
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Charlatan (Churchill Downs Stakes) is lightly raced with only 5 lifetime starts. He comes in off a second place finish in the Saudi Cup in March and a win in the Malibu Stakes in December. However, soon after arrival Baffert announced he would not be entered. Baffert said, "He's not quite ready (for the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes). I went ahead and shipped him, but he's not quite ready for that."
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