Happy Hour, Pony Style: Trainer Rings Up Quick Payday

Published on 26-Mar-2013 by Tony Calo

Horses    Horses Daily Update

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Happy Hour, Pony Style: Trainer Rings Up Quick Payday

How much do you make an hour?

Many Americans struggle from pay period to pay period while checking  their accounts on a daily basis. Can you imagine making $52,000 dollars in just one hour? That was the case for Bob Baffert, one of the most successful thoroughbred trainers of the modern era.

On Sun 24 Mar at Sunland Park,  Baffert won the $200,000 Sunland Oaks with his undefeated 3-year-old filly, Midnight Lucky, and the $800,000 Sunland Derby with his 3-year-old colt, Govenor Charlie. The combined winners' share of both races equaled $520,000. Thoroughbred trainers get 10% of the winner's purse.

Midnight Lucky stamped herself as the filly to beat in this years Kentucky Oaks, to be run on the first Friday in May. Midnight Lucky strutted her stuff while easily disposing of her inferior rivals in The Sunland Oaks. She is a filly with tremendous upside, and she displayed plenty of swag in victory.

Just a half an hour later, Govenor Charlie was victorious in The Sunland Derby. He earned 50 points and assured himself a spot in this year's Kentucky Derby to be run on the first Saturday in May. Both Midnight Lucky and Govenor Charlie are by the hot young sire, Midnight Lute, who was a top-notch sprinter in his day.

Thoroughbred racing is known as the Sport of Kings, and Baffert is legendary as the man behind the throne.

He's also legendary to his local banker.