Bob Baffert Sues New York Racing Officials Over ‘Impulsive’ Ban

Neither Baffert nor his lawyer, W. Craig Robertson III, returned calls seeking comment.

Medina Spirit, Baffert’s colt, faces disqualification from the Derby — and the horse’s owner faces the loss of a more than $1.8 million first-place check — after two tests following his victory were positive for the anti-inflammatory drug.

After floating various theories — including contamination, a conspiracy targeting him and “cancel culture” — Baffert acknowledged that he was responsible: He said he treated Medina Spirit with the antifungal ointment Otomax without knowing it contained betamethasone.

N.Y.R.A. barred Baffert from its tracks on May 17. After Medina Spirit’s second test came back positive on June 2, Churchill Downs suspended him for two years, including the Derby in 2022 and 2023.

“NYRA took this action to protect the integrity of the sport for our fans, the betting public and racing participants,” Pat McKenna, a spokesman for the association, said Monday. “In making the determination to temporarily suspend Mr. Baffert, NYRA took into account the fact that other horses trained by Mr. Baffert have failed drug tests in the recent past, resulting in the assessment of penalties against him by thoroughbred racing regulators in Kentucky, California, and Arkansas.”

At least five of Baffert’s horses have failed drug tests in a little over one year, and he has had 30 failed tests in his career.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/sports/horse-racing/baffert-sues-new-york-racing-association.html