During Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs, the spotlight often falls on trainer Bob Baffert, whose barn is marked by signs commemorating his six Derby wins. After a three-year ban following the disqualification of Medina Spirit for a positive test of a prohibited substance, Baffert was reinstated and welcomed back warmly. He acknowledges the importance of the Derby as a defining race in horse racing and credits new regulations by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) for preventing past mistakes like the ointment-related positive test that led to his suspension.

Despite setbacks, Baffert remains deeply involved in the sport with one horse in the upcoming Derby and significant influence through breeding, as several contenders are sired by horses he trained. At 72, he continues to embrace the challenges of racing, emphasizing the need for strict regulation while maintaining optimism about the future. Baffert hopes to add a seventh Kentucky Derby win to his legacy, symbolized by a new sign on his barn wall.