Walking around a race track with Bob Baffert is like taking a master class in public relations. He stops and takes photos with anybody who asks. He’s friendly, he’s got his go-to series of quips and he’s always revising his material. Earlier this week, he took 30 minutes to sign what seemed like an endless supply of photos and memorabilia, which will be auctioned by the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.
“I was talking to Bode Miller one time and I asked him if he’s ever said anything and felt really good about what he said and then the next day you read it and you say, ‘I can’t believe I said that.’ “I used to do that more and I realized I need to shut up some of the time. My wife, Jill , is always telling me to ‘zip it.’ I’m probably talking too much now.” It’s actually easy to get Baffert talking again, especially if it has to do with horses. “I love going to the barn,” Baffert said.