"You have to throw that race out," Baffert said. "He's going to be a good horse, but he does have to make a big turnaround. We've got to turn him around by 20 lengths. We bought him to run on the East Coast. We're planning to start him in the Wood Memorial if all looks good. After that, we'll discuss the Kentucky Derby. But we're not looking past the Wood right now." "This has been an incredibly exciting ride," said Ackerman. "Barry and I have a stable of other horses. At this time and for our programs if was in our best interest to sell out. Well still own and his dam and his siblings and any further success he has should enhance our program. We'll always be cheering for him."Ackerman bred Senor Swinger in Kentucky from the Kris S. mare Smooth Swinger. Smooth Swinger also produced stakes-placed Romantic Notions (by Sezyou). Senor Swinger's record is 3-2-0-0 and he has earnings of $59,640. Mickey Goldfine saddled the colt for his first three starts.
Top 3-year-old Senor Swinger was sold Monday by owners Bob Ackerman and Barry Golden to Bob and Beverly Lewis and will be turned over to trainer Bob Baffert. Baffert was on the grounds at Hawthorne on Monday morning to watch the horse gallop and approved the purchase of the horse for an undisclosed amount.Baffert said Monday, however, that the money has not changed hands, and that the transaction is still in progress. Baffert had tried unsuccessfully to buy the son of El Prado earlier this year.Senor Swinger broke his maiden by 6 1/2 lengths at Hawthorne last fall and headed to Gulfstream Park following that race. He dead-heated with Kentucky Jockey Club runner-up Ten Cents a Shine in a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Gulfstream Park in January. In his last start, Senor Swinger finished fifth in the Florida Derby (gr. I).
