Walking around a race track with Bob Baffert It’s like taking a master class in public relations. He stops and takes photos with anyone who asks. He’s friendly, he has his favorite set of jokes and he’s always revising his material.

Earlier this week, he took 30 minutes to sign what seemed like an endless supply of photos and memorabilia, which will be auctioned off by the Jockey Fund for the Permanently Disabled. It probably didn’t need to take that long, other than the stream of people interrupting him to take a photo.

“You know people who have never been here before, come up to me and say how beautiful it is here,” Baffert said. “And they are right. Del Mar and Santa Anita are two of the most beautiful trails in the world. California is a great place to run.

It’s Baffert, always an ambassador for racing in general and California in particular. Earlier today, he gently chastised a reporter for being too critical of California racing.

Baffert ran four horses Friday and three are expected to run Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup.

What made this year’s Breeders’ Cup different was that, for the first time in four years, Baffert was eligible for qualifying points in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Learn more:Breeders’ Cup: Which horses are the favorites to win at Del Mar?

Baffert and Churchill Downs ended a very public disagreement stemming from the disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Derby. Churchill Downs lifted its ban on Baffert when the Hall of Fame trainer accepted responsibility for the positive test of a legal medication and prohibited on race day.

In Baffert’s mind, the controversy is well in the rearview mirror.

“They were fighting for their brand and I was fighting for my horse, but it’s over,” Baffert said. “Everything is fine between Churchill and me and that’s the way it should be. It was a business decision on their part. Turn the page. I acknowledged it and we moved on.

Baffert understands that sometimes he talks a little too much and has previously said he wishes he hadn’t held an impromptu press conference after learning of the positive test.

“I was talking to (former Olympic skier) Bode Miller once and I asked him if he ever said something and if he felt really good about what he said, and then the next day, you read it and you say, ‘I can’t believe I’m saying that.

“I was doing this more often and realized I needed to shut up every once in a while. My wife, Jill (a former journalist), always tells me to “zip up.” I probably talk too much now.

It’s actually easy to get Baffert talking again, especially if it involves horses.

“I love going to the barn,” Baffert said. “I love horses. I love being with them. There is a lot of stress in this job but when I see the horses it takes my mind off it. They are calming. They are such noble animals. They are like children. You observe them and help them develop. I don’t support the jockey. I support the horse. It’s my horse. That’s my guy.

Few have experienced the success of Baffert. The horses he trained won 17 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby six times. He won 18 Breeders’ Cup races. He has won more than 3,400 races and more than $360 million in prize money.

But more importantly, his horses have won the Triple Crown twice: American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.

“You’re always looking for the next big superstar,” Baffert said. “And Secretariat has always been the bar.

Learn more:Subsanador leads field in spectacular $1 million California Crown race at Santa Anita

“I remember Penny Chenery (breeder and owner of Secretariat) was there in Belmont for American Pharoah. She gave me her blessing on American Pharoah before the race. She was cool. When he won, I whispered in his ear: “This is not a Secretariat. I think this is as close as it gets. And she said, ‘You’re damn right.’ »

The 71-year-old coach has no plans to retire.

“I love what I do. Horse racing is fun, especially the big races. The Breeders’ Cup brings together the best horses, the best trainers, the best jockeys. It’s like an all-star game.

“A few years ago I was talking to (Dodger) Walker Buehler and it was the playoffs and they were playing the Padres. I said, “Hey, the Padres are tough.” He says everyone is tough in the playoffs. And that’s what the Breeders’ Cup is. Everyone is tough. You have to draw well, you have to break well, you have to succeed in the journey.

Baffert even has a suggestion on how to improve the Breeders’ Cup.

“I always thought they should have it in September. I think if they ran earlier they could have a 2 year old championship run in December.

Baffert ended his conversation and returned to his barn. No doubt he was arrested several times along the way. That’s life when you’re the most recognized person in horse racing.

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This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.