LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bob Baffert made his return to Churchill Downs on Wednesday after an absence of three and a half years, where he celebrated a victory in the seventh race at the famous venue, home to the Kentucky Derby. This marked a significant moment for the renowned trainer, who had to navigate a lengthy ban from the racetrack.

In a notable encounter, Baffert was greeted by Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen, with whom he has a complicated history, including previous legal battles. Baffert’s ban, initiated in 2021 due to a failed drug test involving one of his horses, concluded in July. The trainer publicly acknowledged his role in the incident, which tarnished his reputation and caused a ripple effect in the horse racing community.

During the race, Baffert observed as his horse, Barnes, triumphed in a nail-biting finish, besting a competitor trained by the esteemed D. Wayne Lukas. This horse, valued at $3.2 million, is named in honor of Baffert’s long-time assistant, Jimmy Barnes, which makes the victory even more poignant for the trainer.

With a record-tying six Kentucky Derby wins under his belt, Baffert aims to reclaim his prominence in Thoroughbred racing. His 2021 Derby-winning horse, Medina Spirit, was initially celebrated for its first-place finish, but the disqualification that followed due to a post-race drug test prevented Baffert from scoring his seventh Derby victory. The fallout from Medina Spirit’s situation prompted Baffert to take legal action, as well as resulted in a 90-day suspension imposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission—a ban that extended to racetracks across the nation.

Despite the challenges of the past, the atmosphere on Wednesday was celebratory. Looking ahead, Barnes could emerge as a promising entry for Baffert in the upcoming Kentucky Derby next year, reigniting hopes for further success in one of horse racing’s most prestigious events.