April 8th

Baffert has two horses running in Major Preps: Point Determined in the Santa Anita Derby and Bob and John in the Wood.

Victor Espinoza has been Bob and Johns regular rider, but Espinoza, though a regular jockey for Baffert is not available because he is committed to ride Balance in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. Garret Gomez has just guided Point Determined to a bang up second in the San Felipe vs. A.P.Warrior and has never been aboard Bob and John, but finds himself on that horse for the Wood. Berajano is retained to guide Point Determined in the Santa Anita Derby. Gomez gets Espinoza's previous mount up in the Wood and Berajano substitutes effectively for Gomez.

April 15th

Gomez, having ridden Sinister Minister to his maiden victory, accompanies him to Keeneland and romps. Espinoza rides at Santa Anita, Baffert doesn't ride him and he has a bad day.

Gomez with the opportunity to ride Bob and John, rides very effectively and retains the mount. Berajano picks up his vacated horse. Espinoza, for whatever reason more loyal to Balance than Bob and John finds himself losing Bob and John but falling in a soft spot, having been the guinea pig for the Sinister rating gambit.

What does it all mean? Probably that Baffert has some pretty good horses, but I'm not certain it means that they prepped West.