Bob Baffert transfers his top contenders for 2023 Kentucky Derby: Here's what to know

For the second year in a row Bob Baffert is transferring some of the top Kentucky Derby contenders to other trainers.

The six-time Derby winning horse trainer was forced to do so as part of his continuing two-year ban from Churchill Downs that expires this summer after the 149th Kentucky Derby. Tim Yakteen is taking over control of most of Baffert's top horses this year, but a few other trainers will also attempt to qualify Baffert-trained horses.

Baffert had until Feb. 28 to transfer any horses so they would still be eligible for the Run for the Roses due to a new rule enacted this year on the 2023 Triple Crown nomination form that states: “Horses under the care of any suspended trainer or affiliates may be transferred to a non-suspended trainer and become eligible for earning points on a forward-looking basis so long as the transfer is complete by February 28, 2023.”

Here is everything you need to know about the exchange and what it means for this year's Derby:

Which horses has Bob Baffert transferred ahead of 2023 Kentucky Derby?

According to the Los Angeles Times, Baffert transferred Derby favorite Arabian Knight to Tim Yakteen on Sunday. Baffert also sent National Treasure, Fort Bragg and Mr. Fisk to Yakteen. That crop joined horses Baffert sent to Yakteen earlier this year, according to LAT and Horse Racing Nation: Arabian Lion, Carmel Road, Hejazi and Reincarnate.

Two other trainers also received Baffert-trained horses — Fort Warren was moved to Brittney Russell prior to Sunday, and Harlocap was sent to Steve Asmussen.

2023 Kentucky Derby: Which horses are in and on the bubble for this year's field?

Who is Tim Yakteen?

Yakteen is a longtime trainer with close ties to Baffert. Yakteen took over training several horses from Baffert before last year's Kentucky Derby after Baffert's appeals to have his suspension by Churchill Downs failed in April. Those horses were a top favorite in Messier, plus Doppelganger and McLaren Vale. (Baffert sent a fourth horse, Blackadder, to Rodolphe Brissett.)

Yakteen, a native of Germany who moved to the United States in 1982, worked almost exclusively with Baffert since the 80s before striking out on his own in 2004. He has not trained a Derby winner, and 2022 was the first time he had a horse in the Run for the Roses — the previously Baffert-trained Messier. Doppelganger and McLaren did not run at Churchill Downs last year.

Why won't Bob Baffert be at the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

Baffert is serving a two-year suspension from Churchill Downs stemming from 2021, when Medina Spirit — after initially winning the 147th Derby running — tested positive for betamethasone, a corticosteroid considered a possible performance enhancer and is illegal on race days. Medina Spirit died after a workout in December 2021.

Baffert has appealed the suspension since it was announced. He suffered his latest loss in court in February when a federal judge denied his injunction. His suspension expires in June. He was also suspended by the New York Racing Association for a year, which expired in January.

Baffert is expected to take control of his horses again after the Derby in time for the Preakness Stakes.

Who are the 2023 Kentucky Derby favorites?

As of Monday, Arabian Knight is the current favorite to win the Derby at 5-1 odds, according to Caesar's Sportsbook. Todd Pletcher-trained Forte is second with 7-1 odds, and another Baffert horse, Cave Rock, is considered the third favorite at 12-1.

Asmussen already has two early contenders for the field in Extra Anejo (15-1) and Red Route One (35-1).

Louisville-native Brad Cox has a couple early contenders in Instant Coffee (16-1), Loggins (18-1) and Verifying (30-1).

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2023 Kentucky Derby: Bob Baffert transfers top horses to trainers