Baffert focused on Derby, not Hall of Fame

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) " Bob Baffert is so focused on preparing Pioneerof the Nile for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday that his recent election to the Hall of Fame still hasn't registered.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Baffert said. "I've been so excited about this horse. To me, the Hall of Fame hasn't settled in. I haven't really accepted it."

The trainer got the welcome news in a phone call from Mike Kane, the communications officer for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, on April 23.

"Mike called me and I was on my way to have a Mexican dinner," Baffert said. "I asked him 'Is this it? This is how it happens?' They could have sent me a stripper-gram or something."

The first call Baffert made was to his parents in Arizona.

"I'm glad they're still alive to see this," Baffert said. "I'm like their little boy who became a doctor."

Baffert will be inducted Aug. 14 at the museum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., capping a long climb from his early days with quarter horses to the highest honor in thoroughbred racing.

"It's humbling," Baffert said. "At least I won't be referred to as a former quarter horse trainer. I always thought about it, but when it happened, I really wasn't ready for it."

Baffert bids for a fourth Derby victory with Pioneerof the Nile, the Santa Anita Derby winner listed at 4-1 on the morning line.

Baffert is one of four Hall of Fame trainers in this year's Derby, joining D. Wayne Lukas (Flying Private), Bill Mott (Hold Me Back) and Nick Zito (Nowhere to Hide).

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A LITTLE HELP: Baffert had help from his son Bode in selecting the post position for Pioneerof the Nile.

Bode, 4 1/2, said his favorite number is nine. Unfortunately, that slot was already taken when the time came to pick a post.

With Bob providing a lift, Bode hung the selection card on the hook for post No. 16. With the mission accomplished, Bode gave the crowd a thumbs up.

Then came the reward " his favorite food.

"Now we'll have pizza for lunch," Bode said.

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NO WIN WILLY: Another day, another Derby defection.

Win Willy was withdrawn Wednesday morning after X-rays revealed a potential problem in the colt's left front ankle.

It marked the third straight day the race lost a runner due to injury. On Monday, Quality Road was withdrawn with a hoof problem. Square Eddie was pulled out with a shin injury Tuesday.

Win Willy would have been a Derby long shot, following a fourth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby.

"He came a long way in 80 days and it might have been too much, too fast," said trainer Mac Robertson. "When he flattened out in the Arkansas Derby, I was afraid something was bothering him."

A thorough examination detected the ankle issue. Robertson opted for the conservative course of rest and rehabilitation.

"You could inject the ankle and run and he wouldn't feel nothing," said Robertson. "Probably 99 times out of 100, he's OK. It's not worth it for the horse. It's good that, if there was something there, we catch it and don't run him. If it's the right thing, you really shouldn't feel bad for it."

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ZITO SLIPS IN: The defection of Win Willy, only hours before Derby entries closed, opened a spot for Nowhere to Hide.

The colt has been stuck in a rut this year, finishing fourth in all three races. He is 50-1 on the morning line from post No. 18.

With the Derby seemingly out of reach, trainer Nick Zito planned to run Nowhere to Hide in the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Then fate intervened.

"I guess if the 20th spot in the Derby is left open by the gods, you ought to at least enter," said Zito. "He's been fourth a lot of times. If he's fourth in the Derby, that's not a bad race. Then we can build on that."

Shaun Bridgmohan picked up the mount.

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A CLOUDY FORECAST: The National Weather Service forecast for Derby Day calls for a 30 percent chance of showers with temperatures in the low 7os.

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AP Sports Writer Will Graves contributed to this report.