Trainer Baffert down to 3 possible Derby starters

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Super Ninety Nine and Den’s Legacy won’t run in the Kentucky Derby after trainer Bob Baffert took them out of consideration.

Baffert said Tuesday that based on their recent form he didn’t think either horse would be competitive enough to win the May 4 race.

Super Ninety Nine was ranked 18th with 30 points on the Derby leaderboard that determines the top 20 horses with preference to run at Churchill Downs. The colt won the Southwest Stakes in February, but finished fifth in the Rebel Stakes and third in the Santa Anita Derby.

Den’s Legacy was No. 20 with 20 points. He was runner-up in the Sham and Robert Lewis stakes, and third in the CashCall Futurity and Rebel, then finished sixth in the Arkansas Derby.

Baffert still has Sunland Derby winner Governor Charlie (ranked 11th) and possibly Code West (ranked 21st) and Power Broker (ranked 24th) as possible starters in the Derby, which he has won three times.

Baffert also says Fiftyshadesofhay won’t run in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks on May 3.