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Reported by Horse Racing Nation IT could be said that no news is good news at Churchill Downs, where the equine-herpesvirus appeared to have been contained at six positive cases. “That’s a good thing that there really is nothing new,” said Dr. Will Farmer, the equine medical director for Churchill Downs Inc., in a telephone… Continue reading Churchill Downs herpesvirus outbreak holds at six
THE PAULICK REPORT reports: Trainer Bob Baffert plans to return to training on Sunday, July 3, following the conclusion of a 90-day suspension issued by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. According to the Asbury Park Press, the nine-time winner of the Grade 1 Haskell could send one or more top 3-year-old entrants to the Jersey Shore… Continue reading Haskell could see the return of Baffert
Everyone is talking about this, so we will too. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike was clearly "jacked up" on adrenalin (or perhaps something else), and could easily have gotten loose and harmed himself or others. So action needed to be immediate and successful. Insofar as punching the horse is concerned, we will let you view… Continue reading Derby winner Rich Strike bit Churchill Downs’ lead pony and got punched for it
Medina Spirit (Apr. 5, 2018 – Dec. 6, 2021) has been stripped of [his] Kentucky Derby title nine months after a failed post-race drug test, writes Today on Feb. 22, 2022. Renowned trainer Bob Baffert will be suspended for 90 days from the sport beginning next month, but his attorney says he plans to appeal.… Continue reading Baffert stripped, sued, suspended
The Lexington Herald Leader reports: If you’ve been waiting on pins and needles for an official ruling from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in the Medina Spirit drug case, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. A hearing originally scheduled for Feb. 7 with Kentucky racing stewards over the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner’s… Continue reading What happened to the Baffert Kentucky Derby drug hearing?
Anticipating a lawsuit that would challenge its ban of the Hall of Fame trainer, the track accused Baffert of “inventing excuses.” Joe Drape, reporting for The New York Times reports: With the Kentucky Derby approaching, Baffert has threatened to sue Churchill Downs and Carstanjen if the track in Louisville, Ky., does not lift the two-year… Continue reading Churchill Downs draws a hard line with Baffert
by John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times Now 68, Baffert is seeing his livelihood and reputation under attack after a series of medication infractions have made him an outcast to some in the industry and a pariah to many more outside of it. He's the person few in the business want to talk about, but everyone… Continue reading Baffert makes his last stand
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Points from races in the series that earn berths in the Kentucky Derby won’t be awarded to any horse trained by an individual who is suspended from entering the Kentucky Derby in 2022. The rule announced Friday by Churchill Downs also applies to any trainer directly or indirectly employed, supervised or… Continue reading Horses entered by suspended trainers can’t earn Derby points
This will be our last post on Bob Baffert for some time — if we have our way about it. It never occurred to us when we began covering the potential disqualification of this year's Kentucky Derby “winner” Medina Spirit on the heels of his post-race positive for the steroid betamethasone, that it was just… Continue reading Racing needs timely decision on Kentucky Derby drug case
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky judge has granted representatives of trainer Bob Baffert and the owners of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit much of the horse’s split urine sample to be further tested for betamethasone and other substances. The Hall of Fame trainer and Zedan Racing Stables last week sued the Kentucky Horse Racing… Continue reading Kentucky Judge divides Medina Spirit urine sample for tests
Tuesday's Horse 