Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit disqualified; trainer Bob Baffert suspended for 90 days

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced Monday that Medina Spirit, who finished first in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 before testing positive for an anti-inflammatory that is banned on race day, was formally disqualified and stripped of his victory.

Bob Baffert, the horse’s Hall of Fame trainer, was suspended from all Kentucky racing facilities for 90 days and fined $7,500. Baffert, whose horses won the Derby six times before last year, can appeal the decision.

In June 2021, Baffert was handed a two-year suspension by Churchill Downs Incorporated, which hosts the Derby. Monday’s decision by the KHRC extends the ban to all facilities in the state under its jurisdiction from March 8 through June 5.

Churchill Downs issued a separate statement Monday recognizing Derby runner-up Mandaloun as the winner of last year’s race, and it offered congratulations to the horse’s trainer, Brad Cox.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/21/medina-spirit-disqualified/

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. So, I shouldn't have torn up the "win" ticket on Mandaloun?

I don't suppose this affects any of the payouts from betting.

(no, I didn't actually have any money on the race)

[George II]

4. That's why delayed disqualifications suck. In this case there wasn't a betting "coup", but....

....but at much lower levels there's more money to be made by cheating and betting on the medicated horse.

By the time the horse is disqualified all the tickets have been cashed by the cheaters.

[Stuart G]

2. Why important?...The trainer was absolutely sure that he would ..."Get Away With It"

.....Just like..." someone else."...Who tried to get away with a whole lot of stuff.

[George II]

6. That has always been his excuse with all his positive drug tests. For a couple of horses....

....in Arkansas, he claimed the drugs came from a "Lidocaine patch" that someone on his staff was using for a backache. In this case he claimed it was just an ointment he used, but somehow it mysteriously found it's way into the horse's blood.

He even claimed blood test samples were contaminated.

It's always something for him, never his fault.

[AllyCat]

3. So Baffert is the equine version of the Russian women's skating coach.

Baffert is a snake. Glad to see this handed down. Hope it is enforced.

[RobinA]

10. Yes, Complete

with idiotic doper excuses for the presence of the banned substances.

[George II]

5. He's had six stakes winners disqualified for drugs over a period of a year - one was....

....positive in two separate stake races.

He's also had the most horses die in races than most trainers in the last few years. In fact Medina Spirit, the horse in question, collapsed and died on the track a couple of months ago after a workout.

He should be banned for life. Period.

[PJMcK]

19. Yeah, 90 days is a joke (n/t)

[Enoki33]

7. Baffert will once again use every legal

loophole his high priced attorneys can up with to try to avoid culpability. Racing would be a much cleaner sport without his history of cheating.

[George II]

8. They've already either filed an appeal or have one ready to go. The complete story:

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/256644/medina-spirit-disqualified-from-2021-kentucky-derby-win

[Enoki33]

11. Thanks for update.

[Coventina]

9. END THE BRUTAL PRACTICE OF HORSE RACING!

That is all.

[BidenRocks]

14. You do realize

There would be a mass culling since the Thoroughbred has no other purpose.
Your choice seems more brutal.

[Coventina]

16. So you admit that the owners, trainers, etc. don't give a shit about the horses?

Because if the people in the sport really loved the horses they wouldn't do that.

[oasis]

12. "Fallen star" Baffert is a continuing disgrace. He gotta go!

[jmowreader]

13. Just 90 days?

At this point they should ban the guy for life. It's obvious he's incorrigible.

[PlutosHeart]

15. Just ban the sport already.

Doping horses for profit and killing the losers many times dies not sit well with me.

[twodogsbarking]

18. Welcome to the world's best website.

There are some great people here.

[twodogsbarking]

17. I am not sure you can like horses and horse racing.