Kentucky racing board upholds Bob Baffert’s suspension
Associated PressLEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky racing officials have denied trainer Bob Baffert’s request to stay his suspension for a failed postrace drug test by Medina Spirit that led to his disqualification as Kentucky Derby winner. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission board members on Friday voted 10-0 with three abstentions against the stay in a specially called meeting. Director Marc A. Guilfoil denied an initial request to stay the suspension, which was scheduled to start on March 8 but is delayed pending a March 17 hearing before Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate. KHRC general counsel Jennifer Wolsing countered that the source of the betamethasone was irrelevant and cited Baffert’s failure to keep promises to improve his operation after a series of positives by his horses.