Going on a race track with Bob Baffert it’s like taking a master’s class in public relations. He stops and takes pictures with anyone who asks. He’s friendly, has his own streak of jokes, and is always revising his material.

Earlier this week, he took 30 minutes to sign what appeared to be an endless supply of photographs and memorabilia, which will be auctioned off by the Jockey Fund for the Permanently Handicapped. It probably shouldn’t have taken that long, except for the stream of people interrupting it to take a photo.

“You know people who have never been here before, come up to me and tell me how beautiful it is here,” Baffert said. “And they’re right. Del Mar and Santa Anita are two of the most beautiful tracks in the world. California is a great place to race.”

This is Baffert, always an ambassador for racing in general and California in particular. Earlier, he gently admonished a reporter for being too critical of the California race.

Baffert had four horses run on Friday and three are scheduled to run on Saturday Breeders’ Cup.

What makes this year’s Breeders’ Cup different is, for the first time in four years, Baffert was eligible for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

Read more:Breeders’ Cup: Which horses are the favorites to win at Del Mar?

Baffert and Churchill Downs ended a very public disagreement resulting from the disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Derby. Churchill Downs lifted its ban on Baffert when the Hall of Fame trainer accepted responsibility positive test of a legal drug that is prohibited on race day.

In Baffert’s mind, controversy it’s good in the rearview mirror.

“They were fighting for their brand and I was fighting for my horse, but it’s over,” Baffert said. “Everything is cool between me and Churchill and that’s how it should be. It was a business decision on their part. Turn the page. I recognized that and moved on.”

Baffert understands that sometimes he talks a little too much and previously said he wished he hadn’t held the impromptu news conference after learning of the positive test.

“I was talking to (former Olympic skier) Bode Miller one time and I asked him if he’s ever said something and felt really good about what he said, and then the next day you read it and you’re like, ‘I can’t to believe he said that.

“I used to do that more and I realized I needed to shut up some of the time. My wife Jill (a former journalist) always tells me to “zip”. I’m probably talking too much right now.”

In fact, it’s easy to get Baffert talking again, especially if it has to do with horses.

“I love going to the barn,” Baffert said. “I just love horses. I love being around them. There’s a lot of stress in this business, but when I see the horses, it takes that away. They are soothing. They are such noble animals. They are like children. You follow them and help them develop. I’m not rooting for the jockey. I’m rooting for the horse. This is my horse. That’s my guy.”

Few have had Baffert’s success. The horses he trained won 17 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby six times. Won 18 Breeders’ Cup races. He has won over 3,400 races and over $360 million in prize money.

But most importantly, his horses have won the Triple Crown twice – American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.

“You’re always looking for the next big superstar,” Baffert said. “And Secretariat has always been the bar.

Read more:Subsanador closes in on the field in the dramatic $1 million California Crown race at Santa Anita

“I remember (Secretariat breeder and owner) Penny Chenery was there at Belmont for American Pharoah. She gave me her blessing on American Pharoah before the race. It was cool. When he won, I whispered in his ear, “It’s not secretariat. I think that’s as close as I’ll ever get. And she says, “You’re damn right.” “

The 71-year-old coach has no plans to retire.

“I love what I do. Horse racing is fun, especially big races. The Breeders’ Cup has the best horses, the best trainers, the best jockeys. It’s like an All-Star game.

“A few years ago, I was talking to (Dodger) Walker Buehler and it was the playoffs and they were playing the Padres. I said, “Hey, Parents are tough.” He says everyone is tough in the playoffs. And that’s the Breeders’ Cup. Everyone is tough. You have to draw well, you have to break well, you have to get the trip.”

Baffert even has a suggestion for how to improve the Breeders’ Cup.

“I always thought they should have it in September. I think if he ran earlier he could have a 2-year-old championship run in December.”

Baffert ended his conversation and returned to the barn. No doubt he was stopped many times along the way. That’s life when you’re the most recognizable person in horse racing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.