Baffert and 2YOs

[Dgstan]

Certainly not attacking Baffert personally here. In fact, my few interactions with him have been nothing short of friendly. I would like to discuss his training methods. My feeling is that he's harder on his young horses than the average trainer. This feeling comes from the perception that I have that his charges seem to get injured more often that others. This is a feeling - I have no stats to back that up.

However, anyone who follows workouts can tell you that his young horses typically run faster than average. Perhaps this is because he has better stock, but I don't think that's the reason. I think he has different training methods than other horsemen. Not saying it's good or bad, but if anyone has hard numbers on injuries by trainer, I'd be interested in seeing them.

Another thing to consider is that perhaps his high-profile owners are demanding that their horses are ready to win early.

Finally, when I was learning to handicap from Jim Quinn, he told me the basics of evaluating a first-time starter based solely on workouts. One of the things he said was to look for two 4F, 5F, or 6F works that were run in under 12 seconds/furlong (:48 / 1 min / 1:12m respectively) - unless the horse is trained by Baffert, in which case, look for three such works. If Jim Quinn takes Baffert's methods into account when evaluating maidens, it's certainly good enough for me.

[Rosethorn2]

I think Baffy gets high dollar babies that owners want a quick return off of......get 'em ready to race FAST.....bwtfdik>?.....My late BIL's parents used him briefly......if they hold up, fine....if they don't, they're like trains....another will be along in a minute...

[Kermit]

I blame Northern Dancer.

[Syncopate]

Rosethorn2 wrote

I think Baffy gets high dollar babies that owners want a quick return off of......get 'em ready to race FAST.....bwtfdik>?.....My late BIL's parents used him briefly......if they hold up, fine....if they don't, they're like trains....another will be along in a minute...

Sounds like when Lukas was training the babies for his various clients like Klein or Hatley. Back in the day DW was known as the great spender of other people's money.

[Diver52]

I've always liked Baffert so I'm not totally objective, but I think dgstan is on to realizing that anecdotal evidence isn't helpful. Do young horses that work in 59 flat have more problems than those that work in 1.00 flat, or 1.01? But if so, why, as a scientific/medical/vet issue? Intuitively it makes sense, but where do you draw the line--at .58, .58.4, 59.3, 100.1. . .I'd be interested in seeing a project tracking the juveniles turned over to a number of prominent trainers, and then do a "where are they now?" in a year or two.

[Rosethorn2]

It is not just Baffert....a lot of high profile trainers are under a microscope when it comes to the high dollar stock. It's human nature....owners spend a lot of money....it's only natural for them to want a quick return. Can't say I blame them....but can't really blame the trainers either.

I'm sure there's problems with lower profile trainers, too.....regardless of work speed.....you just don't hear about them as much....it's the nature of the breed these days....