“He was not used to being behind horses and he got intimidated,” said a rather dim Bob Baffert after the 150th Preakness Stakes. Despite fans hoping for a miracle, the legendary trainer’s horse, Goal Oriented, failed to win at the Pimlico Race Course today. With that, the elusive Triple Crown race victory remained just that to the 72-year-old despite his best efforts. But that doesn’t mean the colt couldn’t make its presence felt at all.
As Goal Oriented crossed the finishing line in fourth place, behind Journalism, Gosger, and Sandman, respectively, Baffert found himself in the middle of yet another controversy. But this time, the fans seem to have his back.
Shoe Eats Turf for Breakfast took to X on May 17 to share how Bob Baffert’s horse almost put some of its colleagues out of action at today’s Preakness Stakes. Captioned, “baffert may not have won a triple crown race but man oh man did he f*k over a lot of other horses in these first two legs,” the social media update shared a snapshot from the race. The photo captures the nail-biting moment when Goal Oriented bumped into Journalism from the outside, forcing the latter, in turn, to brush against Clever Again on the inside.
Despite the scuffle, the 3-year-old son of Curlin managed to muster all his strength and tear away from the other two and chase down Gosger to win the 2025 Preakness Stakes in a photo finish. And yet, one can’t help but speculate what would happen if Bob Baffert’s Goal Oriented hadn’t run into Journalism, who had jockey Umberto Rispoli riding on his back.
baffert may not have won a triple crown race but man oh man did he fuk over a lot of other horses in these first two legs. pic.twitter.com/lhfb4joQlw
— Shoe Eats Turf for Breakfast (@barshoelife) May 17, 2025
Food for thought? Of course it is! But it was also a display of grit and sheer virility from both Rispoli and Journalism. “I still can’t realize what this horse did today. I got in trouble at the corner pole. But it’s all about him. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to ride a horse like him. It’s just unbelievable,” said a beaming Rispoli, admitting that winning a Triple Crown race made him tear up.
“What a heartful effort out of Journalism. He’s extremely special. He is equally as mentally brilliant as he is physically, which is so rare to find in this game,” said Aron Wellman, one of the co-owners of Journalism.
With 15-1 odds, Brendan Walsh’s Gosger had the third-longest odds in the Preakness. Right off the post, the horse maintained a firm lead on Bob Baffert’s poster boy (horse?) and the rest of the pack, and obviously, still losing to Journalism hurt. “I’m disappointed not to win it, but I’m not disappointed in the horse. He ran a great race. He is an improving horse and he will improve off this,” Walsh still couldn’t stop underscoring his pride over the thoroughbred.
And despite all the heaving emotions, Bob Baffert couldn’t escape the heat raining down on his back. With ghosts of the past haunting the trainer since before this year’s Derby, Baffert was naturally open season for the fans, especially thanks to Goal Oriented’s antics on the field today. Thankfully for the veteran trainer, others entered the chat to take it upon themselves to clear Bob’s name.
Horse racing fans aren’t having any of the accusations flying at Bob Baffert
After Journalism finished the Kentucky Derby in second place, Rispoli claimed that it was the wet conditions that stopped the horse from giving its best. With that, he claimed that the Derby winner Sovereignty would have a very different fight on its hands under different conditions. But the Preakness wouldn’t be the place where that rematch happened. Instead, it seemed like Bob Baffert was going to be the reason behind Journalism’s downfall at today’s race. However, one fan pointed out that it was Journalism that was to blame for the incident. “You’re blaming the wrong horse. The 2 started it all,” the fan commented.
Credits: Instagram/Preakness Stakes
When the post position for the Preakness Stakes was released, many fans were already concerned. After all, the inside posts always put you in a vulnerable position where evading pile-ups can be a tricky thing to do. Citing that, one fan stepped forward to note that putting the blame on Bob Baffert might not be the best thing to do. “Not sure he’s to blame in this case. Prat steered Goal Oriented right into Journalism and Clever Again,” the fan stated flatly. “Baffert riding now?” another also sounded quite baffled, seeing Baffert under the microscope for the jockey’s deeds.
“That’s absolutely false. Bob did not instruct the rider to do any such thing, nor did anyone purposely try to play dirty tricks,” another Bob Baffert loyalist couldn’t help but point out that the trainer wouldn’t intentionally try to sabotage the others from the race. Many others thought the same. “Why are you drumming up drama?” one asked, noting how Flavian Prat failed to hold his ground against the incredible duo of Rispoli and Journalism.
So, what did you make of the collision? Tell us your take on who was the culprit behind the mess in a comment!
The post Horse Racing Community Backs Bob Baffert as Goal Oriented’s Actions Affect Preakness appeared first on EssentiallySports.
