Barnes Makes Winning Debut at Churchill, Sparks Kentucky Derby Talk
Photo:
Matt Sharp
2-year-old colt Barnes stormed to victory in his debut, earning both an 87 Beyer Speed Figure and an 88 Brisnet Speed rating in the process. The win marked trainer Bob Baffert‘s return to Churchill Downs for the first time since he was suspended in 2021.
This impressive start has ignited debate about Barnes’ future, as the bay colt leaps into positioning himself as part of the Kentucky Derby conversation.
Baffert, celebrating this win, expressed confidence in Barnes’ potential: “We know he likes Churchill Downs, but I think my other ones are going to like it as well,” he said. Betting interests for the Kentucky Derby are already abuzz with whispers of Baffert’s success. “So hopefully we’ll keep him healthy and be here on the first Saturday in May.”
Barnes, a $3.2 million colt owned by Amr Zedan, quickly rose to an 8-1 second choice in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool 2, which began on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Sunday.
Citizen Bull, also trained by Baffert, sits as the 7-1 favorite in the pool.
Attracting more than 38 individual betting choices, the Kentucky Derby Future Wager provides options for all fillies from the 2022 foal crop and boy colts and geldings from 2022 who don’t have individual betting lines. With an odds of 7-2, the all-other-males option stands as a favored pick.
In Las Vegas the Kentucky Derby pictures have begun to paint a clearer image for Pasadena betting enthusiasts
Barnes opened at 33-1 but those odds, as expected, plummeted to 18-1 in fixed Odds wagering at Caesars Sportsbook.
Citizen Bull, the seemingly sure
footed favorite in Vegas. Relinquished some ground from
8-1 to 10-1. However, he remains the poster child for the 73 listed horses.
Running concurrently with pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, offering fans the opportunity to wager on breeding potential. Barnes, being a product of acclaimed sire Into Mischief—current ordinal 8 to 1 favorite among thursday evening betting ,
sits poised to shake up the Kentucky Derby picture. The potential of his progress
* How might the scrutiny surrounding Bob Baffert’s recent history affect Barnes’s Derby aspirations, both positively and negatively?
Mensch
## Barnes Breaks Out: Kentucky Derby Dreams?
**[Intro Music]**
**Host:** Welcome back to “Racing Roundup.” Today we’re diving into the buzz surrounding a thrilling debut at Churchill Downs. Two-year-old colt Barnes, trained by none other than Bob Baffert, stormed to victory, sparking immediate conversations about his Kentucky Derby potential.
Joining us to discuss this exciting newcomer is racing analyst, Jim Thornton. Jim, thanks for being here.
**Jim Thornton:** A pleasure to be here. This Barnes colt is certainly turning heads.
**Host:** Absolutely! He secured an impressive 87 Beyer Speed Figure and an 88 Brisnet Speed rating in his first ever race – numbers that definitely catch the eye. What stood out to you most about his performance?
**Jim Thornton:** It was a dominant win. From the gate, he showed speed, and maintained that momentum throughout the race. He looked comfortable and composed. That kind of professionalism at such a young age is promising.
**Host:**
Indeed. Now, we know Bob Baffert is a Hall of Fame trainer whose horses have a strong history at Churchill Downs, including seven Kentucky Derby wins. Does Barnes’s debut performance point towards another Derby run for the Baffert barn?
**Jim Thornton:** It absolutely puts him in the conversation. It’s still early days, of course, but he’s shown the raw talent and athleticism you want to see in a potential Derby contender.
[1] That said, we’ll need to see how he continues to develop. Baffert will likely look towards some key prep races to assess his progress.
**Host:** Right, and Barnes is owned by Amr Zedan, the same owner as Medina Spirit who won the 2021 Derby, but then was disqualified. Do you think knowing that history will add any extra pressure towards Barnes’s Derby aspirations?
**Jim Thornton:** There will undoubtedly be scrutiny surrounding any horse Baffert trains who emerges as a Derby contender, given recent events. However, Barnes is his own horse, and he deserves to be judged on his own merit.
**Host:** Well said. Jim, thanks for giving us your expert insights on this exciting young colt. Time will tell if Barnes can live up to the early hype, but he’s certainly made a strong first impression.
**[Outro Music]**
