DEL MAR, Calif. — Walking outside of his barn at Del Mar racetrack, one of the most successful and controversial horse racing trainers in Southern California turned to an owner ambling alongside.
As a columnist neared, a mischievous grin punctuated a cheeky introduction: "He's here to do a hatchet job on me."
The voice did not belong to silver-haired lightning rod Bob Baffert. Or Richard Baltas. Or Jerry Hollendorfer.
