Baffert updates Improbable, Maximum Security, Princess Noor

It was business as usual for Bob Baffert Sunday morning after the two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer savored victories yesterday by undefeated Princess Noor and relatively unsung Improbable.

Princess Noor proved convincingly she can handle two turns, giving Baffert a record 12th triumph in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, while Improbable rallied from last to capture the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes, vanquishing stablemate and odds-on favorite Maximum Security in the process.

“You’re never sure about going two turns, and she was stuck behind horses coming out of the one hole, but she came out of the race really well,” Baffert said of Princess Noor, a $1,350,000 purchase owned by Saudi businessman Amr Zedan who campaigns as Zedan Racing.

“She’s still doing her thing and it looks like two turns is not going to be a problem for her,” Baffert added.

“Improbable and Max came out really well. I knew there was going to be a lot of pace, and we were going to sit off of it and then let Max run, but he was in between Midcourt and they were just bumping the whole way down the backside.

“They were in a full drive from the half-mile pole, but he didn’t bring his A game, and Improbable is getting really good. He’s got a lot of Grade 1’s on his resume, he’s filled out, matured, and Drayden (Van Dyke) rode a great race, just sat back there early on.

“He saw what was happening up front and let them go.”

Next up for Baffert is Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Thousand Words worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 yesterday at Churchill Downs towards that goal while Kentucky Derby winner Authentic works there Monday.

“As long as Authentic works good, both horses will ship to Maryland on Tuesday,” Baffert said.