Bob Baffert's Cornucopian Faces Doubts in Arkansas Derby Ahead of Kentucky Derby

Bob Baffert is determined to secure his seventh Kentucky Derby victory, but the path is fraught with challenges, particularly at the Arkansas Derby, a critical race for earning qualifying points. His horse, Cornucopian, secured a fourth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby, earning 15 points but falling short of expectations, as Mark Casse's Sandman claimed the victory and 100 points. Despite Cornucopian's status as a morning line favorite, Baffert acknowledged that other horses like Coal Battle, with 70 points, posed significant competition. Meanwhile, another of Baffert's horses, Citizen Bull, demonstrated potential with impressive workouts, holding 60 points on the leaderboard. The horse racing community remains divided over Cornucopian's potential, with some enthusiasts hopeful for his success and others skeptical. Baffert's candid acknowledgment of the competition indicates a realistic approach as he prepares for the Kentucky Derby.