Bob Baffert in spotlight for wrong reasons going into Preakness
Saddles for Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Medina Spirit, left, and Concert Tour are seen on a railing in the stables ahead of the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez
Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Medina Spirit is bathed after a workout ahead of the Preakness Stakes ahead of the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez
Exercise rider Humberto Gomez, top left, takes Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Medina Spirit to the track for a training session ahead of the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez
Medina Spirit could lose Ky. Derby win; track bans Baffert
John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson
Jockey John Velazquez, left, watches as trainer Bob Baffert holds up the winner s trophy after they victory with Medina Spirit in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson
John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit throws a rose after his victory in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson
Medina Spirit’s win over Mandaloun in the Derby stands for now. To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner, Churchill Downs officials said in a statement shortly after Baffert held a hastily planned morning news conference outside his barn to announce and respond to the allegations. The track said failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of horses and jockeys, the sport’s integrity and the Derby’s reputation. Churchill Downs will not tolerate it, the statement read. Given the seriousness of the alleged offence, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack.
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IS BOB BAFFERT FIT AND PROPER?
May 10, 2021 12:34 pm
By Matt Stewart, Racing Editor
Is
Bob Baffert a serial cheat or serially negligent?
Or this time – Baffert’s umpteenth drug breach – is America’s most celebrated horse trainer the victim? Again?
“I got the biggest gut-punch in racing, for something I didn’t do”, Baffert insisted after his
Kentucky Derby winner
Medina Spirit tested positive to betamethasone and may be disqualified, pending testing of a reserve sample.
Only one Kentucky Derby winner has been disqualified for a positive drug test, a horse called
Dancer’s Image in 1968.
The Medina Spirit drama, and the latest stain on Baffert’s rollercoaster career, as Hall of Famer and apparent Hall of Shamer, comes just two years after the
Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has a failed a drug test for betamethasone
The colt faces disqualification as a result, after winning the Derby last week
Trainer Bob Baffert said he s shocked and claims he is innocent of wrongdoing
It could see him forced to repay $1.86million in winnings he received
While gamblers who bet on Medina Spirit would get to keep their winnings, those who bet on the horse that came in second, Mandaloun, would get nothing
Medina Spirit is expected to run in the Preakness on Saturday, barring a change in plans or a decision from officials at Pimlico or Maryland s racing commission