Baffert: Eclipse Awards are about the horses

If Bob Baffert keeps winning Eclipse Awards in bunches, he might have to open his own private Hall of Fame.

The two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer will add at least three more trophies to his expansive collection when winners are announced at the 50th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony presented by Spendthrift Farm on Thursday, Jan. 28.

Barring something unforeseen, Baffert’s Authentic will be Horse of the Year and Three-Year-Old Male, and his brilliant Gamine will be named Female Sprinter.

A fourth Baffert Eclipse could be won should his stalwarts Improbable or Maximum Security be named outstanding Older Dirt Male.

Authentic would be the fourth Horse of the Year trained by Baffert, joining Triple Crown kings Justify (2018) and American Pharoah (2015), along with Preakness and Derby winner Point Given (2001).

Baffert himself is one of three finalists for an Eclipse among trainers along with Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox, and while Authentic and Gamine are odds-on to win, Baffert considers himself a longshot.

He did win, however, in 2015 and three years in a row from 1997 through 1999. Baffert also has 880 wins at Santa Anita (not including Oak Tree), second and closing on the late Bobby Frenkel’s 917.

On the business end, Baffert currently has Grade 1 Malibu Stakes winner Charlatan on course for the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 20, and Kentucky Derby favorite Life Is Good ticketed for the March 6 San Felipe Stakes or “an out of town” race.

Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming. On Friday, Baffert unleashed a 3-year-old colt named Concert Tour to win in hand late by 3 1/2 lengths for owners/breeders Gary and Mary West.

“It was a nice maiden win; he ran like we thought he would,” Baffert said of the son of Street Sense, who covered six furlongs in a sprightly 1:10.40 as the even-money favorite.

A six-time Kentucky Derby winner and the most recognizable trainer on the planet thanks to his shock of snow-white hair and voluminous accomplishments, Baffert turned 68 on Jan. 13.

A pat on the back is always more comforting than a kick in the pants, but personal plaudits are not high on his priority list.

“I think I’ve been nominated for an Eclipse like 20, 30 years in a row,” Baffert said. “We had a great year (with 16 Grade 1 victories, more than any other trainer).

“To win a personal award is a great honor, but to me it’s more important that the horses win.”