Just two days ago, on Thursday, Bob Baffert was reeling in disappointment. “Turning for home [in the Haskell], I thought he was going to win it,” Baffert told Thoroughbred Daily News from Del Mar. The Triple Crown winner was talking about Goal Oriented losing the $1 million Haskell Stakes to Journalism in the final stretch. Yet, just a couple of days later, the iconic trainer is back in the winning column.

His comeback at the Kentucky Derby was a bust as the 72-year-old could not win any of the Triple Crown races. What’s more? His horses didn’t even make it to the top three at those races. While Goal Oriented improved to third place at the Haskell, it was barely a consolation. However, after a massive victory at the San Diego Handicap (G2) in Del Mar, Baffert revealed just how worried he was going into race day.

“I would have spoken to you earlier,” Bob Baffert told FanDuel’s Scott Hazelton during the post-race interview. “I was so nervous because I’ve had a lot of good horses get beat in this race,” Baffert said of the first statement-making day at the track. That wasn’t all, because as the trainer hinted, #2 Nysos winning the $300,500 San Diego Handicap (G2) broke his jinx of losing this particular race.

“This is the fourth graded victory for the four-year-old colt by @DarleyAmerica’s Nyquist. Flavien Prat was in the irons for trainer Bob Baffert,” FanDuel posted about the win. “Pratt had enough horse to cut the corner there. But, uh, it’s exciting, you know? This is why we have these good horses, why we work so hard. I’m just thrilled for both horses,” added Baffert.

Just like he had planned for the Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert had multiple horses, and Nysos’s stablemate Mirahmadi finished second. Yet, this wasn’t the end of Bob Baffert’s success at Del Mar. Another one of his trainees, Brant, who made headlines when he was purchased for a whopping $3 million at the OBS March sale, had a brilliant start to his career, winning his maiden special weight race at Del Mar by 5 1/4 lengths.

“#8 BRANT ($3.60) looked like a future superstar on debut!” FanDuel wrote on X about the Zedan Racing Stables’ gray/roan Gun Runner colt. It’s safe to say that Brant has the makings of a serious champion after that performance. And talking about winning big, Baffert is already plotting his next move.

Bob Baffert has his eyes on the famed Midsummer Derby

While losing at the G1 Haskell Stakes was yet another blow for the legendary trainer, he set his eyes on the next big competition almost immediately. Baffert divulged his plans of waiting to compete at the prestigious upcoming GI, $1.25 million Travers Stakes, aka the Midsummer Derby. While he skipped the preparatory G2, $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes, the veteran kept an eye out.

As for his racer, Baffert is looking to run Goal Oriented, although nothing is final yet. “That is the plan … today. It changes every week,” Bob Baffert explained. However, he also spoke about the Los Alamitos Derby winner, Nevada Beach, being on his mind as well. “I am going to watch the (GII) Jim Dandy (at Saratoga Saturday). I’ll figure out a lot after that,” Baffert added.

After all, the Jim Dandy had a small but immensely competitive field. This year’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, Sovereignty, took on the challengers like Baeza, Sandman, and more. To no one’s surprise, Sovereignty once again reigned supreme over the field of horses who’ve constantly challenged him throughout this season. So it’s safe to say that Bob Baffert will find it difficult to dethrone the Derby champ this year. Thankfully, his big double victory at Del Mar was a huge confidence boost for Baffert.