Rival Santa Anita Derby trainers Baffert, Ruis share respect

Bob Baffert built a Hall of Fame career by first riding, then training horses. Mick Ruis built a lucrative business so he could chase a passion later in life — also training horses.

The two West Coast-based conditioners will meet near the pinnacle of their sport in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby, in which Baffert will saddle the up-and-coming Justify and Ruis the multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d’Oro.

Despite taking different paths to the top, the two share a mutual respect.

“Mick has a strong passion,” Baffert said. “…Finally, he was in a position in life where he was able to get into this business, and he just loves it. He works hard at it. He’s out here early. Anyone who puts their money up, you have to give them credit.”

Ruis, who sold the majority of his “American Scaffold” company for a reported $78 million, has used a portion of those funds to purchase and race horses. He’s made no secret since acquiring a training license last year that Baffert serves as a role model.

The Hall of Famer, Baffert, likened the relationship to his own fascination with legends D. Wayne Lukas and Charlie Wittingham years ago.

“To be able to watch how he must be able to handle this pressure is the most amazing thing I see about Bob,” Ruis said. “All we have to do is let down ourself when we’re in the big race. He’s got owners, other family of the owners who are all disappointed if the horse don’t run good.

“For him to be able to handle that pressure, we all know he can train a horse. That ain’t the hard part I think Bob does every day. I think it’s just being able to handle all the pressure of all the owners. Look, when you get all the horses that he does, there’s a lot of pressure on you. That’s what I respect about Bob the most.”

Yes, Ruis both owns and trains Bolt d’Oro, a $630,000 purchase who has already earned in excess of $800,000. This try at the business is going smoother than Ruis’ last. He previously sold a contracting company to get into racing, but ended up a million dollars in debt.

Back in racing — this time, his financial situation much more friendly — Ruis spends mornings at the track with his wife, Wendy. His daughter Shelbe also has a training license. His son, Mick Jr., sought a jockey career for a time but now works for the scaffolding business.

“He surrounds himself with good people,” Baffert said of Ruis. “He’s really enjoying it. He’s got a really good horse. He’s excited, and I don’t blame him, because Bolt d’Oro is a big, beautiful horse and can really run.

“In a short period of time, (Ruis has) had a lot of success. I always say — anybody who puts their money up, you’ve just got to wish the best.”

Ruis and Baffert have gone head to head already on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail, with Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie battling to the wire in the March 10 San Felipe Stakes. Stewards controversially disqualified Baffert’s McKinzie from the win for moving out in deep stretch. It marked a third graded stakes victory for Bolt d’Oro, who at age 2 won both Del Mar Furity and FrontRunner Stakes.

Entering the Santa Anita Derby, Bolt d’Oro has the points necessary to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Justufy, who will be making only his third start, needs to finish first or second to earn his trip to Churchill Downs but won his first two starts running away.

No matter the result, the two trainers likely to run into one another Sunday morning at Santa Anita. It’ll be back to work for both.

“I talk to him every day,” Baffert said of Ruis. “He’s very smart and a good student of the game. He picks up — he knows what’s going on. He’s pretty sharp. It’s like all trainers when we’re coming up. I watched all the great trainers when I got in the business.”