Bob Baffert is back in the Churchill Downs spotlight, and so is the buzz surrounding his return. The Hall of Famer who was banned after the Medina Spirit controversy in 2021 had officially returned with not just one but two contenders aiming to make history in the 151st Run for the Roses. But after a late scratch, he enters Derby week with just one potential record-breaker in his barn. After a three-year suspension and a mountain of media attention, Baffert walks into Derby week with a chip on his shoulder and one potential record-breaker in his barn.

Citizen Bull isn’t just a number on a leaderboard—he’s the face of Baffert’s comeback tour. For a guy tied with the most Derby wins ever at six, this year offers a shot to break the tie and reassert his grip on the crown of American horse racing. Love him or loathe him, Baffert brings headlines, and if one of his colts crosses the wire first, it could be the most talked-about win of the decade.

So, is Baffert ready to reclaim his throne? His horse is. And the numbers, odds, and storylines suggest this might be his most compelling Derby appearance since Justify made Triple Crown history.

Bob Baffert’s 2025 Kentucky Derby horses

After months of uncertainty, Bob Baffert has officially returned to the Kentucky Derby—but not without a setback. Initially set to bring two contenders, only one will make it to the starting gate. Rodriguez, one of his top colts, was scratched on Thursday due to a minor but sensitive foot bruise. According to Starlight Racing co-owner Tom Ryan, the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.” Rodriguez will now be aimed at the Preakness Stakes later this month. The scratch leaves Citizen Bull as Baffert’s sole representative in this year’s Run for the Roses.

Citizen Bull, meanwhile, may be flying under the radar. Once pegged as a favorite thanks to wins in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and American Pharoah Stakes, his shaky performance in the Santa Anita Derby pushed his odds to 20-1. He drew the rail (post No. 1), historically a tough spot, but if he breaks well, he’s still a serious threat. Martin Garcia, a longtime Baffert collaborator, will guide him.

Baffert’s return: what does it mean for the 2025 Kentucky Derby

For three years, the Kentucky Derby existed without its most polarizing figure. Now that Bob Baffert is back, the attention is right where it used to be: on his barn. The suspension stemmed from the betamethasone positive test in Medina Spirit after the 2021 Derby, a saga that ultimately stripped Baffert of his seventh win and cast a shadow over his legacy. But even with over 30 failed drug tests in his career, Baffert remains the name fans can’t stop talking about.

This return isn’t just about a horse on a leaderboard. It’s a symbolic moment in the sport’s recent history. Baffert’s presence has reignited conversations around race-day medication, trainer accountability, and the power structures of American horse racing. NBC plans to air a special segment covering his comeback, underlining how big this storyline truly is.

Whether you believe Baffert deserves this shot or not, the bottom line is clear: he’s back, and he’s got firepower. And in a year where journalism leads the pack, the real story might still end with Baffert in the winner’s circle. Again.

Bob Baffert has made a career of rewriting history, and with Citizen Bull in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, he might do it again. His suspension may have sidelined him, but it never truly erased him from the conversation. Now, under the lights of Churchill Downs, with the crowd roaring and cameras flashing, Baffert is poised for redemption—or another controversial chapter.

No matter the outcome, May 3 won’t just be about 20 horses chasing roses. It’ll be about whether Bob Baffert can silence the critics and make the loudest statement of all: winning.