No Alibis, Just Fun: The Wayne and Bob Show at the Preakness Alibi Breakfast

Wandering Eyes · May 15

BALTIMORE, MD — Much has been said about the genuine friendship between Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert that has developed over the years. And the lively banter between the two, as well as several of the other members of the training ranks in attendance at Thursday's Preakness Alibi Breakfast, did nothing to dispel that notion.

Completely sidestepping the suggested seating assignments, Baffert planted himself at Lukas's table, which also included John Bellinger, who makes up BC Stables with partner Brian Coelho. The team is represented in this year's Preakness by American Promise (Justify), winner of the Virginia Derby.

Baffert, who will be looking for his record ninth Preakness Saturday with 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), most recently won the second leg of the Triple Crown with National Treasure (Quality Road) in 2023. Lukas, who sent out the upset-minded Seize the Grey (Arrogate) last year, stands only one win behind Baffert.

Hosted by TV personality Michelle Yu, the traditional trainer commentary kicked off with a few friendly jabs between the two training titans. After taking a few swipes at Baffert for opting for On Clouds running shoes instead of cowboy boots, Lukas offered a light-hearted joke at the expense of the absent Brendan Walsh, who saddles GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes victor Gosger (Nyquist) Saturday.

“I asked Brendan, 'Why is it that the Irish got all the potatoes and the Arabs got all the oil?”

“And?” asked Yu.

“Because the Irish had first choice.”

“Here we go,” said Baffert amidst the extended laughter.

Taking a moment to strike a more serious note, Baffert interjected, “I love the Preakness. I love the tradition of the Triple Crown races.”

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Bob Baffert at Thursday's Preakness Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico | Christina Bossinakis

With the absence of GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) from the Preakness lineup, Baffert weighed in on the debate.

“I hope they don't change it because it was 37 years when American Pharoah won and that had to be the biggest sports statement that we made,” he said. “I think the Triple Crown is still important even though it's tough, it takes a really special horse to do it.”

Lukas briefly turned his attention to Michael McCarthy, who brings Kentucky Derby runner-up and Preakness morning-line favorite Journalism (Curlin) to this year's renewal.

“I tried to help him out but he didn't listen. He put his horse in the Derby-winning stall, which is the kiss of death.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, Lukas added, “Bob said to leave him in there, but I told him to move him over.”

Baffert immediately jumped to McCarthy's defense.

“Wayne is wrong,” he said. “Silver Charm won out of that stall. Real Quiet and War Emblem also won out of that stall.”

Lukas countered, “Don't make him feel comfortable. He already has the favorite!”

Baffert responded, “The best horse wins the race, Wayne. No matter what stall he's in. I think McCarthy looks pretty good right now,”

“I do too,” conceded Lukas. “I think, Mike, it's his race to lose.”

Baffert fires back with a hint of irony, “Yes, Mike, it's your race to lose.”

With an even-keeled volley, McCarthy got into the ring.

“[Lukas] had me going yesterday pretty good. Last time I was here, I had my first runner [Rombauer], and winner, from the [vicinity of the] 16- 17-18 stalls. So, if I get beat from the stall I am today by one of those two guys, I'll take my hat off.”

In an unusual stroke from the typically reserved horseman, McCarthy threw down the gauntlet.

“Next year, we'll come back and run from the Journalism stall, how does that sound?”

It didn't take long for the Hall of Famers to rope in another Hall of Famer into the mix.

“You know what, we have to watch out for that Mark Casse,” said Lukas. “He's won the Sovereign Award up in Canada about 35 times [fact check: it's 16 Sovereign titles].”

“What happens in Canada, stays in Canada,” quipped Baffert.

Casse trains GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit), who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby last time out.

Despite obviously needing to turn the attention to the other trainers in attendance, Yu cleverly kept the two legends in play.

“You don't know Jamie? Come, Jamie, meet The Coach,” Yu said to Jamie Osborne, who will saddle the European invader Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), who was nosed out of the win last time in the G2 UAE Derby.

“He almost beat me [Bayern] in the Breeders' Cup Classic with Toast of New York [in 2014]. That was a great race,” recalled Baffert.

“Yeah, he said 'what was that horse that finished second trained by that Brit that looks like Austin Powers,” dead panned Osborne to peels of laughter.

The conversation took a sharp turn to a potential match-making between one of Baffert's remaining single sons and Osborne's daughter, Saffie, who will be riding Heart of Honor Saturday.

“I wouldn't wish her on my worst enemy,” quipped Osborne to another wave of laughter.

Yu also looped in Michael Gorham, who trains Federico Tesio winner Pay Billy (Improbable). The Midlantic-based Gorham advised on the purchase of the $60,000 OBSAPR graduate, who is the first horse campaigned by newbie owners RKTN Stables.

“What are you doing in September,” extended Lukas. “We'll go to the sale together.”

Rounding back to Casse, Lukas once again poked at Casse's connections (Fact check: Mark Casse is NOT Canadian. He IS American).

Craftily constructing a bait-and-switch, Casse dead-panned, “That's the nice thing about the Preakness, we are all in the same barn. So, I have to listen to that every day.”

And according to Casse, his other barnmate, also liked to poke some fun too.

“I tell Bob about a good restaurant, and he tells me, 'what would you know about a good restaurant, you live in Ocala.'

This is what I deal with every day.”

Rounding out a laughter-filled morning, Casse summed up his journey with a hint of emotion lacing the dual Hall of Famer's voice.

“On a more serious note, I could not be more proud to be considered in the group that I am,” he said. “To think that, when I started 47 years ago, I would be sitting here today with two of the greatest of all time and them talking about me, it's great.”