Had a brief career as a jockey. In 1970, he rode first winner in a sanctioned race at Flagstaff in Arizona.
Recorded his first win as a trainer with Baffert’s Baron at Flagstaff in 1971.
Graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in animal sciences and racetrack management.
Won his first race as a Thoroughbred trainer on Jan. 28, 1979, saddling Flipper Star to take the second race at Rillito in Arizona. The winner’s share of the $600 purse was $330.
Made his first Thoroughbred auction purchase, Thirty Slews, in 1988. Thirty Slews was so named because the son of Slewpy was bought for $30,000 at Keeneland as a yearling. Thirty Slews won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 1992.
Has topped the standings at Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet a record eight times. He also has won numerous training titles at Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Oak Tree.
Won three stakes races on the 1991 California Cup card at Oak Tree as Charmonnier took the Cal Cup Classic, Ebonair the Cal Cup Juvenile and Letthebighossroll the Cal Cup Sprint.
Nearly won the Kentucky Derby in his first try in 1996 with Cavonnier, who lost by a nose.
Won the most important race in the Pacific Northwest, the Longacres Mile, with Isitingood in 1996 at Emerald Downs.
Trained Isitingood to break the great Dr. Fager’s 29-year-old world record with a time of 1:32.09 for one mile in the 1997 The Bart Stakes on Santa Anita’s turf course.
Purchased Keeneland summer yearling sale topper Forestry for $1.5 million in 1997, marking the first time he spent over $1 million to buy a horse. In 1999, Forestry won the Grade I King’s Bishop Stakes, Grade II Dwyer Stakes and San Pedro Stakes.
Won the Santa Anita Derby and Pacific Classic in 1999 with General Challenge, who also took the Santa Anita Handicap in 2000.
Has won the Cigar Mile in New York three times (El Corredor in 2000 and Congaree in 2002 and 2003).
Was inducted into Lone Star Park’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
