The three-year track to the fastest, most exciting two minutes in sports can have conditions ranging anywhere from fast-and-good to slow-and-sloppy. Phyllis Wyeth, the owner of Chadds Ford Stables, has seen them all en route to the 2012 Triple Crown season — when the Kentucky Derby (May 5), Preakness Stakes (May 19) and Belmont Stakes (June 9) are run in a frenetic five-week stretch.

Bob Baffert is the most recognizable man in horse racing. With his signature silver hair, sunglasses and smile, the 59-year-old is the face of the sport of kings.

The Hall of Fame trainer has won the Kentucky Derby three times (1997, 1998, 2002), the Preakness Stakes five times (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010) and the Belmont Stakes once (2001) to lock up the career Triple Crown.