Racing Plans Still to be Determined for Corniche

Upcoming racing plans for Speedway Stables' Corniche , the likely 2-year-old champion, will not be made until this winter, co-owner Peter Fluor said Nov. 23.

The Quality Road   colt is currently ineligible under current trainer Bob Baffert to compete in next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs. Last year, as a private property owner, Churchill Downs Inc. suspended Baffert from competition at its tracks through mid-2023 after Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit  tested positive for betamethasone after his first-place finish in the Derby earlier this year. 

In a later move, CDI announced in September that no horse trained by a suspended trainer such as Baffert could even accumulate points on its Road to the Kentucky Derby series. So without a rule change, only a shift in trainer could potentially allow Corniche to amass the points necessary to join what is typically an oversubscribed Kentucky Derby field.

Qualifying Derby points increase in prep races in late winter and early spring of next year. So a win by Corniche with another trainer in any top-level or second-tier Derby prep next winter or spring would likely be enough to get him into the Derby, based on historical trends. 

Alternatively, Speedway Stables could opt to stay with Baffert and point Corniche toward other races, forgoing the lure of the Derby. 

"We haven't made any plans going forward," said Fluor, who heads Speedway with K.C. Weiner. "Corniche is relaxing over the holidays and getting some well-earned downtime, enjoying himself. He's very healthy, and all is good there.

"He's at Santa Anita right now, and Bob Baffert is his trainer. That's where we are."

Corniche is currently favored to win the Derby in future-book wagering at Caesars Sportsbook at William Hill Nevada. On Nov. 22, Churchill Downs chose not to list any Baffert trainees among its 22 individual betting interests in its Kentucky Derby Future Wager taking place this week. Baffert-trained horses are among the heavily-favored pari-mutuel field.

Baffert is not currently under suspension by any regulator. However, he is at risk of fine or suspension from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission when Kentucky stewards ultimately hold a hearing upon a New York laboratory completing follow-up drug testing. Stewards could also disqualify Medina Spirit.

Corniche, bred in Kentucky by Bart Evans and Stonehaven Steadings, is 3-for-3, having won a maiden race and the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park in addition to the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Del Mar. Those achievements are all-but-certain to earn him an Eclipse Award as North America's champion 2-year-old male. The Eclipse Award ceremony is Feb. 10 at Santa Anita.

On the advice of bloodstock agent Marette Farrell, Speedway Stables purchased Corniche for $1.5 million from the de Meric Sales consignment at this year's Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. 

Baffert trains for Speedway Stables on the West Coast. Mike Stidham and Bill Mott also train for Speedway Stables in other parts of the country. Stidham currently conditions the ex-Baffert runner Roadster , winner of the 2019 Santa Anita Derby (G1), after Fluor and Weiner sent the horse east for a 2021 campaign.

Roadster ran 15th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby for Baffert. He is Speedway Stables' lone prior Derby starter.

"K.C. and I are going to enjoy the holidays and address any issues that need to be addressed down the road," he said.