Churchill Downs extends trainer Bob Baffert’s ban through 2024
1 year, 6 months ago

Churchill Downs extends trainer Bob Baffert’s ban through 2024

Associated Press  

Churchill Downs is extending Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s suspension through 2024, keeping the two-time Triple Crown winner from entering horses in the Kentucky Derby and other races for an additional year. Churchill Downs Inc. announced Monday it was continuing Baffert’s ban at least through the 2024 calendar year, citing “continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses to CDI-owned racetracks.” Baffert initially was suspended for two years after 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test and was later disqualified. In a statement, Churchill Downs said Baffert continues to “peddle false narratives” about Medina Spirit’s failed drug test for a steroid, betamethasone, that is legal in Kentucky but is banned on race day. “And they’re loyal, they stuck with me, and I give them all the credit.” Baffert’s team earlier this year sued Churchill Downs and sought a temporary injunction to stop the suspension, arguing the track never provided advance notice or reached out to explain the two-year ban.

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Trainer Bob Baffert wins 1st race back at Churchill Downs after the end of his 3-year suspension
1 month, 1 week ago

Trainer Bob Baffert wins 1st race back at Churchill Downs after the end of his 3-year suspension

Associated Press  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bob Baffert returned to Churchill Downs for the first time in 3 1/2 years on Wednesday, saddling the winner in the seventh race at the home of the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen shook hands with the Hall of Fame trainer he once battled in court. His horse, Medina Spirit, crossed the finish line …

Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit’s failed drug test
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit’s failed drug test

Associated Press  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Bob Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities after more than three years of banishment for a failed drug test of ultimately disqualified 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. The stunning announcement came Friday after Baffert issued …

Churchill Downs reinstates trainer Bob Baffert from three-year suspension
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Churchill Downs reinstates trainer Bob Baffert from three-year suspension

LA Times  

It took three years to resolve, but finally the country’s most famous trainer can once again run in the world’s most famous race. The standoff that gave a lot of attorneys a lot of billable hours ended Friday when Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert accepted responsibility for Medina Spirit‘s positive test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby, and Churchill …

Horse racing is looking to move on from Bob Baffert-Churchill Downs feud
8 months, 1 week ago

Horse racing is looking to move on from Bob Baffert-Churchill Downs feud

LA Times  

The perception of Bob Baffert may be changing in Kentucky, especially after Churchill Downs added a third year to his suspension. What was mostly overlooked was the phrase “at least” before “two-year ban.” Despite no violations and serving a 90-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Baffert was handed a third year of punishment with no promise it won’t …

Horse racing’s household name will miss the 150th Kentucky Derby. Bob Baffert is exiled for 3rd year
8 months, 1 week ago

Horse racing’s household name will miss the 150th Kentucky Derby. Bob Baffert is exiled for 3rd year

Associated Press  

The 150th Kentucky Derby is missing horse racing’s household name: Bob Baffert. CDI imposed the original penalty after Baffert’s 2021 Derby winner, Medina Spirit, flunked a post-race drug test. That led to two years of lawsuits, but Baffert failed in his attempts to be reinstated by Churchill Downs or have Medina Spirit’s victory restored. The last two years, the owners …

Kentucky appeals court denies Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to enter Kentucky Derby
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Kentucky appeals court denies Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to enter Kentucky Derby

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Kentucky appeals court judge has denied Zedan Racing Stables’ requests for an emergency hearing and ruling that sought to allow Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to run in next week’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Jeff S. Taylor issued an order denying relief on Wednesday, saying Zedan’s motion failed to …

Owner of Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth appeals denial to run in the Kentucky Derby
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Owner of Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth appeals denial to run in the Kentucky Derby

Associated Press  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Zedan Racing Stables has appealed a Kentucky Circuit Court ruling that denied its request for a temporary injunction seeking to allow Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to race in next month’s 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The stable’s motion filed Friday with the Kentucky Court of Appeals comes a day after Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch …

Owner of Baffert-trained Muth sues Churchill Downs seeking to allow horse to run in Kentucky Derby
9 months ago

Owner of Baffert-trained Muth sues Churchill Downs seeking to allow horse to run in Kentucky Derby

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The owner of Arkansas Derby …

Bob Baffert could end up in Kentucky Derby if new lawsuit is successful
9 months, 1 week ago

Bob Baffert could end up in Kentucky Derby if new lawsuit is successful

LA Times  

Bob Baffert hasn’t had a medication violation since Medina Spirit in 2021, yet he remains under suspension from Churchill Downs tracks. Is it possible that Bob Baffert will have at least one horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby? On Wednesday, Amr Zedan, one of Baffert’s biggest clients, filed suit in Louisville seeking a temporary injunction that would allow Zedan horses, …

Bob Baffert will not transfer any horses to other trainers for Kentucky Derby
11 months, 1 week ago

Bob Baffert will not transfer any horses to other trainers for Kentucky Derby

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert walks off the track at Belmont Park in June. Bob Baffert and his owners have elected not to transfer any of their promising 3-year-olds to other trainers in order to make them eligible for this year’s Kentucky Derby. “I have instructed my attorneys to dismiss the appeal related to the disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 …

Bob Baffert to end appeal of Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby disqualification
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Bob Baffert to end appeal of Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby disqualification

LA Times  

John Velazquez rides Medina Spirit across the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2021. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert posted on social media that he has asked attorneys to end his appeal of Medina Spirit’s disqualification as 2021 Kentucky Derby winner after the now-deceased colt failed a postrace …

Analysis: Why Churchill Downs extended Bob Baffert's ban
1 year, 6 months ago

Analysis: Why Churchill Downs extended Bob Baffert's ban

LA Times  

Imagine having your driver’s license suspended, serving that suspension, and then being told the suspension has been extended because you haven’t admitted that you committed those driving offenses you were charged with two years ago. These scenarios are not perfectly analogous but are close to the situation trainer Bob Baffert finds himself in after Churchill Downs Inc. extended its two-year …

Bob Baffert cannot run horses at Kentucky Derby after court denies injunction
1 year, 10 months ago

Bob Baffert cannot run horses at Kentucky Derby after court denies injunction

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert’s attempt to run horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby was shot down when a court denied his request for a preliminary injunction. Trainer Bob Baffert’s attempt to run horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby was once again denied when a federal district court in Louisville, Ky., denied his request for a preliminary injunction. Accordingly, plaintiffs’ renewed motion …

Baffert: 2-year Churchill Downs suspension hurt reputation
1 year, 11 months ago

Baffert: 2-year Churchill Downs suspension hurt reputation

Associated Press  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs never gave advance notice nor reached out to explain its two-year suspension, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Friday in federal court, and reiterated that the penalty has caused irreparable harm to his business and reputation. I didn’t run for 90 days, and I had to let people go.” Churchill Downs wants the case …

Bob Baffert returns to race in Kentucky for first time since last year’s Derby
2 years, 2 months ago

Bob Baffert returns to race in Kentucky for first time since last year’s Derby

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert at the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 6, 2021, at Del Mar. He will be on hand for this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland Race Course, one of the two major tracks in Kentucky where Baffert isn’t serving a two-year ban. But it’s one of those things that you deal with.” — Bob Baffert Churchill Downs declined to …

NYRA cuts Bob Baffert suspension to a year, meaning he’s eligible for Belmont Stakes
2 years, 6 months ago

NYRA cuts Bob Baffert suspension to a year, meaning he’s eligible for Belmont Stakes

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert looks out from his barn before a workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. In somewhat of a small victory, trainer Bob Baffert had his proposed two-year ban from racing in New York reduced to one year by a three-person panel appointed by the New York Racing Assn. Baffert can resume racing horses in the state on …

Medina Spirit owner: No ill will toward Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert
2 years, 8 months ago

Medina Spirit owner: No ill will toward Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert

LA Times  

Horse trainer Bob Baffert and Medina Spirit owner Amr Zedan celebrate after winning the Kentucky Derby last year. Focus and keep walking.” That’s not to say there isn’t residual emotions after Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby only to be disqualified nine months later for a medication violation of a legal anti-inflammatory that trainer Bob Baffert and his attorneys are …

Bob Baffert should be suspended from racing in New York for two years, hearing officer says
2 years, 8 months ago

Bob Baffert should be suspended from racing in New York for two years, hearing officer says

LA Times  

A retired New York State Supreme Court justice, acting as a hearing officer, recommended that thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert be banned from horse racing in the state for two years. “Despite the fact that Bob has never had a single medication violation in New York, we expected this interim recommendation to the panel, which is not NYRA’s final decision,” Baffert …

Kentucky regulators taped calls without consent with Baffert after Medina Spirit test
2 years, 9 months ago

Kentucky regulators taped calls without consent with Baffert after Medina Spirit test

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert stands outside his barn at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. Medina Spirit was stripped of the victory in last year’s Kentucky Derby and Mandaloun was declared the winner in a ruling by state racing stewards Feb. 21. Betamethasone, we don’t touch that, we don’t use any ointments.” It was two days later that …

Bob Baffert to start 90-day suspension after appeal for stay is denied
2 years, 9 months ago

Bob Baffert to start 90-day suspension after appeal for stay is denied

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert will begin a 90-day suspension Monday after the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied his emergency stay request. Trainer Bob Baffert, seemingly out of options, will begin serving a 90-day suspension Monday in connection with a medication positive with last year’s disqualified Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit. Baffert’s attorneys tried initially to get a stay while the case …

Baffert attorney: 90-day suspension would end racing career
2 years, 9 months ago

Baffert attorney: 90-day suspension would end racing career

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Attorneys for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert argued in a Kentucky court Thursday that a 90-day suspension imposed by the state’s racing commission would essentially end his career. Baffert’s attorneys argued the suspension should not be imposed until he has had a chance for an appeal hearing with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Franklin Circuit Court …

Kentucky racing board upholds Bob Baffert’s suspension
2 years, 10 months ago

Kentucky racing board upholds Bob Baffert’s suspension

Associated Press  

LEXINGTON, 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 …

Bob Baffert sues Churchill Downs, others to be allowed to run in Kentucky Derby
2 years, 10 months ago

Bob Baffert sues Churchill Downs, others to be allowed to run in Kentucky Derby

LA Times  

Bob Baffert wants the courts to allow his horses to run in this year’s Kentucky Derby despite his two-year suspension. In an expected move that will heighten the uncertainty about who can run in this year’s Kentucky Derby, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert filed suit in federal court against Churchill Downs Inc., chief executive Bill Carstanjen and board chair …

Medina Spirit is stripped of Kentucky Derby victory, Bob Baffert suspended
2 years, 10 months ago

Medina Spirit is stripped of Kentucky Derby victory, Bob Baffert suspended

LA Times  

John Velazquez rides Medina Spirit across the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 1, 2021. Medina Spirit is no longer the winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby. “Churchill Downs recognizes Mandaloun as the winner of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby and extends our congratulations to …

Six things to know about death of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit
3 years, 1 month ago

Six things to know about death of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit

LA Times  

Medina Spirit trainer Bob Baffert. He’s also one of the most successful trainers in the game, having won the Kentucky Derby seven times. Recently, in a one-year period he had five medication violations, two of which were overturned and the pending Medina Spirit violation, which has made him a pariah, especially to those who oppose the sport. Baffert actually has …

Bob Baffert attorney: Test proves Medina Spirit wasn’t injected with banned drug
3 years, 1 month ago

Bob Baffert attorney: Test proves Medina Spirit wasn’t injected with banned drug

LA Times  

Trainer Bob Baffert looks on after his horse, Corniche, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 5. Trainer Bob Baffert, the subject of a half-year of speculation over the legitimacy of Medina Spirit’s win in the Kentucky Derby, made a case for innocence on Friday saying there is clear proof the horse was not injected with betamethasone …

The last stand of Bob Baffert, horse racing’s most successful and embattled trainer
3 years, 3 months ago

The last stand of Bob Baffert, horse racing’s most successful and embattled trainer

LA Times  

In his claustrophobic and cluttered office at Santa Anita Barn 5, Bob Baffert, the hall of fame trainer, was pushing papers and moving stacks, hunting for a faded photo of his 17-year-old self aboard a long-forgotten quarter horse from a small racing circuit in Arizona. He paused, then added: “I’ve learned who my friends are.” :: Trainer Bob Baffert pets …

Medina Spirit Tests Positive For Steroid Again, Kentucky Derby Win In Jeopardy
3 years, 7 months ago

Medina Spirit Tests Positive For Steroid Again, Kentucky Derby Win In Jeopardy

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Bob Baffert’s lawyer said Wednesday that a split-sample test of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit came back positive for the presence of the steroid betamethasone, which could lead to the horse’s disqualification and discipline for the Hall of Fame trainer. “The whole basis for listing betamethasone is because it’s injected into a joint and they want you …

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tests positive for an anti-inflammatory
3 years, 8 months ago

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tests positive for an anti-inflammatory

LA Times  

Medina Spirit, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, tested positive for an anti-inflammatory after the race, once again putting trainer Bob Baffert in the middle of another drug scandal. Baffert called it “the biggest gut punch in racing for something I didn’t do.” He said the horse has never been treated with betamethasone and will provide veterinarian records to prove …

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