Bob Baffert Will Miss Kentucky Derby But Visit Favorite Horse Silver Charm

Bob Baffert won’t have a horse competing in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, although he does plan on visiting his favorite thoroughbred, Silver Charm.

Bob Baffert to Miss Kentucky Derby but visit Favorite Horse Silver Charm

The legendary trainer, who has won the Derby four times to tie for second-most in history, has only missed the event in Churchill Downs twice since 2009.

According to Associated Press racing writer Beth Harris, Baffert decided to no longer compete in the Derby because his horse Mastery became injured after winning a prep race this winter. Baffert no longer had a thoroughbred for this year’s race, which begins on Saturday.

Baffert’s last victory was in 2015, when American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown — the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes — for the sports’ first triple-race victory in 37 years.

Silver Charm, the 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion, is a horse that means a lot to Baffert.

“Each time I see him I get all choked up,” the trainer said of the 23-year-old stallion.

Baffert says he will be watching the Derby from his couch this year.

“I’ll be watching everybody stressing out,” the 64-year-old Hall-of-Famer said. “It’ll be fun.”

Baffert will be cheering on his friend Bode Miller, part-owner of Fast And Accurate, one of an expected 20 horses in the field. The Olympic skier has long been a Derby week regular at Baffert’s barn. The trainer named his pre-teen son after Miller.

“It’s a different feeling if you’ve got a horse in there,” Baffert said. “Believe me, he’ll come out of it with a totally different perception. He’ll understand what it’s all about — the importance of the race, the emotions that run through you. Everybody should go through it.”

LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 29: Trainer Bob Bob Baffert watches his horse Triple Crown winner American Pharoah train in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Racecourse on October 29, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)