Bob Baffert will have a Kentucky Derby starter after all.

The sale of Illinois Derby winner War Emblem from owner Russell Reineman to the Thoroughbred Corp. was expected to be completed some time Thursday afternoon. The Thoroughbred Corp, owned by Ahmed bin Salman, will then turn the colt over to Baffert, who will prepare him for the Kentucky Derby. Baffert has had a starter in every Kentucky Derby since 1996 and won the race in 1997 with Silver Charm and in 1998 with Real Quiet. After Danthebluegrassman finished last in last Saturday's Santa Anita Derby, it appeared that Baffert would sit this Derby out.

"The money transfer is supposed to take place at 2 o'clock this afternoon," said the colt's previous trainer, Frank Springer. "You always have mixed emotions when something like this happens. We weren't going to run him in the Derby. We were looking to go to the Lexington and then to the Preakness. But what are we going to do? I wish the horse and the new owner the best. This horse has a lot of natural talent. He's not a real seasoned horse, so I don't know how he'll react to running in the Kentucky Derby."

War Emblem was a virtual unknown before he won a Sportsman's Park allowance race and then recorded a wire-to-wire 6 1/4-length win in the Illinois Derby over the highly regarded Repent. His front-running style may not be conducive to winning the Derby, a race that figures to feature several speed horses and a hot pace.