It's about being the best of an entire industry. It's about pride. After losing the 1996 Derby by a nose with Cavonnier, the silver-haired Baffert won in 1997 with the gallant Silver Charm. A year later, he stood in the winner's circle with owner Mike Pegram's gritty Real Quiet. Baffert is bidding again with Point Given and Congaree.
Point Given is the entire package.
His sire, Thunder Gulch, won the 1995 Derby and his rider, Gary Stevens, is unflappable under pressure. The lightly seasoned Congaree has a brillant turn of speed and is sitting on a major effort. These colts likely will go off first and second choices and are the most predictable starters. There are numerous unpredictables. The free-running Balto Star is in peak form.