LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Irishman Aidan O’Brien has almost as many big-race trophies as the Louvre has paintings, and Bob Baffert considers him “the greatest trainer in the world.” But when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, the Wizard of Ballydoyle never has found the magic dust.
O’Brien is 0-for-6 in a race he’s called “a different animal,” maybe because it’s bitten him every time. Last year he was shocked when his highly touted Mendelssohn staggered in last, 53¼ lengths behind Justify. He was knocked around at the start and entering the turn, not unusual treatment in a notoriously rough race.