Bob Baffert is set to make his 47th appearance in the Kentucky Derby points race at Oaklawn, following a pattern similar to his previous 46 starts: strong lineage, promising value, minimal racing, and a significant chance of extending his Hall of Fame trainer legacy in the four-race series.
Buetan will be making his first attempt at a two-turn race on Friday in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3), a 1 1/16-mile contest that Baffert has captured six times before.
“He’s a great horse,” jockey Baffert commented Tuesday afternoon.
Operating out of Southern California, Baffert trains Buetan for his key client, Amir Zedan of Zedan Racing Stables. Together, Baffert and Zedan have already notched two Kentucky Derby Points Series victories at Oaklawn: winning the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) in 2023 with Arabian Nights and the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) in 2024 with Moose. Both Arabian Nights and Moose were acquired by Zedan at the OBS 2-year-old sales for $2.3 million and $2 million, respectively.
Zedan purchased Buetan for $1.15 million at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale for 2-year-olds in training. Buetan is sired by the multi-millionaire and multiple Grade 1 winner Tiz the Law and holds a 1-2-0 record in three career starts, earning $148,000. Buetan’s second dam, Dream of Summer, claimed the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn in 2005 and has produced notable descendants including G1 winners Creative Cause and Vexatious, as well as G2 winner Destin.
Buetan secured second place in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita on January 10 and concluded his main Southwest preparation—delayed by six days due to winter conditions—by posting a half-mile workout in 47.80 seconds at Santa Anita last Sunday.
“He’s ready to go,” Baffert said. “He’s ready for it. His last work was just maintenance.”
On the morning line for the Southwest Stakes, Buetan is listed at 4-1 in a field of 14. Although Baffert was the 5-2 favorite, he will not be traveling to the race but will instead focus on the $200,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2), a 1 1/16-mile race at Santa Anita on March 7.
Buetan is also entered in the 1 1/16-mile $275,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3), which took place last Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
“Florida, we just observed it,” Baffert said. “At this time of year, the racing can go anywhere.”
The Southwest Stakes is Oaklawn’s second Kentucky Derby qualifying race, awarding 42 points to the top five finishers (distributed as 20-10-6-4-2), all contributing to entry into the first leg of the Triple Crown. The series continues with the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 1 and the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on March 28. Baffert has claimed eight Rebel Stakes victories and shares the record for five wins in the Arkansas Derby.
“I’m definitely there for the Rebels,” Baffert said. “I just nominate everywhere. Just like in the Kentucky Derby, I nominate all the stallions. I’ll wait and see who’s ready that week, then I’ll get on the plane.”
Baffert also won Oaklawn’s first Kentucky Derby qualifying race, the Smarty Jones Stakes, and holds a record 20 career wins in Oaklawn’s Kentucky Derby points race series.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on February 5, 2026, within the News section. Click here to set Paulick Report as your preferred news source.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for horse racing enthusiasts because it highlights the continued dominance of a legendary trainer in a key Kentucky Derby prep series, setting the stage for new stars like Buetan to emerge. The ongoing success of top connections at Oaklawn adds excitement and prestige to the Triple Crown trail, promising intense competition and compelling storylines for the sport’s future.
