Bob Baffert is one of the biggest names in the horse racing industry. He is a world-renowned American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer that produces world champions in major horse racing events.
His horses are among the top favorites of horse race bettors in every race he participated in. But recently, Baffert faced controversy that limited his presence in horse races when he got a 2-year suspension by Churchill Downs Inc. in relation to the incident where his horse, Medina Spirit, tested positive for medication that shouldn’t be used on race days.
What’s in store for Bafferts fans this 2023 Kentucky Derby? Will his horses be running this coming May 6, 2023?
Baffert Will Not Participate In This Year’s Kentucky Derby
A federal district court in Louisville, Ky, rejected trainer Bob Baffert’s plea for a preliminary injunction, thwarting his efforts to enter horses for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
The KHRC ban on Baffert is scheduled to last from March 8 through June 5. He appealed the decision on February 21. But on February 25, the KHRC rejected his request to suspend the sanctions enforcement.
Unless the infringement is assessed too heinous or the individual receiving the penalty is considered hazardous, such stays are typical at most state racing commissions but not required.
In part, Baffert and Zedan’s Monday papers updated the petition they filed in Franklin County Circuit Court on June 7, 2021, requesting an injunction to prevent the KHRC from supposedly violating their rights to due process.
Bob Baffert Found A Way to Let His Horses Run
The Los Angeles Times reports that on Sunday, Baffert gave Tim Yakteen the privilege of riding Derby frontrunner Arabian Knight. Moreover, Baffert delivered Mr. Fisk, Fort Bragg, and National Treasure to Yakteen.
As per LAT and Horse Racing News, these horses joined those Baffert sent out to Yakteen earlier this year. These horses previously sent to Yakten are Reincarnate, Arabian Lion, Hejazi, and Carmel Road.
Baffert-trained thoroughbreds were also handed to two additional trainers: Steve Asmussen and Brittney Russell. Steve Asmussen acquired Harlocap, while Brittney Russell got Fort Warren before Sunday.
Yakteen has a long history as a trainer and is close with Baffert. Following Baffert’s attempts to get his sanction by Churchill Downs rejected in April, Yakteen assumed the training of several horses from Baffert before the Kentucky Derby last year. These horses and Doppelganger and McLaren Vale were among Messier’s top favorites.
This measure has ensured that Baffert horses will be among the Kentucky Derby 2023 horses competing on the Churchill Downs.
Going Back to The Root Cause
For the remainder of this year and till mid-2023, Churchill Downs Inc. has prohibited Baffert from competing horses in any of its tracks. His 2021 Derby champion Medina Spirit, who failed a post-race drug screen and was ultimately stripped of that title in a decision made this year, was punished.
Betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, was found in Medina Spirit. It is legal in Kentucky, but a horse’s system needs to be clear of the medicine at least 14 days before a race. Although it has a lower potential to affect performance and is classified as a Class C drug, any amount of the substance on race day is prohibited.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission also placed Baffert on a 90-day suspension following infractions regarding the horses’ medication, especially Medina Spirit.
He will therefore be excluded from the complete Triple Crown series, which includes the Derby, the Preakness on May 21, and the Belmont Stakes on June 11.
In Kentucky, Baffert made many unsuccessful attempts to reverse the track’s suspension or the beginning of his suspension, which started on April 4. Since his debut in 1996, Baffert has entered 34 horses in the Derby, the third-most in the Derby record. In addition to his six victories, he also finished third three times.
Will Baffert Return to Racing Soon?
Last January, Bafferts 1-year suspension by the Committee of the New York Racing Association ended, making him eligible to enter any race in New York. With this news, Baffert had already planned to enter the biggest races in the spring at Belmont and during the summer in Saratoga.
Meanwhile, Baffert is still under suspension with Churchill Downs Inc., which stopped him from entering the 2023 Kentucky Derby, and ended up with the decision to let other trainers handle his thoroughbreds.
Baffert should be eligible to compete in races in Churchill Downs once his suspension expires in Mid-2023. It gives him time to prepare for the Del Mar summer competition, which gets underway on July 22.
For Bob Baffert fans, your long wait is over. After the Kentucky Derby in May, expect to see Baffert in the following races, and the industry will welcome the comeback of one of the greatest trainers of all time.
In Conclusion
Bob Baffert is still under suspension with Churchill Downs Inc., which prevented him from participating in the Kentucky Derby this year. However, he allocated his thoroughbreds to other trainers to give them a chance to compete in May at Churchill Downs.
On the other hand, expert Baffert is in other races this spring and summer in both Saratoga and Belmont. Additionally, his suspension with Churchill Down is also expected to end around July 2023.
