BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

Breaking

Edit Story

Bob Baffert, Trainer Of Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit, Sues New York Racing Association Over Drug-Related Suspension

This article is more than 2 years old.
Updated Jun 29, 2021, 08:01am EDT

Topline

Legendary thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert, who was suspended by the New York Racing Association last month following Kentucky Derby-Winner Medina Spirit’s positive drug test, filed a lawsuit Monday against the NYRA, claiming it had no authority to suspend him indefinitely, with Baffert seeking financial restitution and requesting a judge issue an injunction lifting the ban.

Key Facts

Baffert's suit argues his trainer's license was issued by the state's gaming commission, which is "statutorily empowered to oversee all aspects of horseracing" in New York.

Consequently, the lawsuit claims, the New York Racing Association does not have the legal authority to suspend him. 

Baffert requests a "preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining NYRA" from barring him from entering horses in races in New York, including Belmont Park, Aqueduct and Saratoga.

The complaint, filed in Brooklyn federal court by Baffert's attorney, says the trainer will suffer "irreparable harm" if an injunction is not immediately issued.

Baffert is "entitled to damages exceeding $75,000 due to NYRA's interference," according to the suit, and seeks "damages in an amount to be proven at a later date," as well as "costs incurred herein, including reasonable attorney's fees."

Crucial Quote:

"NYRA has purported to suspend Baffert and the use of his license without any notice or opportunity to be heard in violation of due process," the suit states.

Contra: 

Patrick McKenna, the senior director of communications for the New York Racing Association, provided a statement to Forbes Monday afternoon, after the suit had been filed. The New York Racing Association temporarily suspended Baffert “to protect the integrity of the sport for our fans, the betting public and racing participants following Mr. Baffert’s public acknowledgement that the Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, a banned corticosteroid,” the statement read. “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. “NYRA will vigorously defend the action it has taken in this matter."

Key Background:

On May 1, Medina Spirit, a horse trained by Baffert, won the 147th Kentucky Derby, giving Baffert an unmatched seventh victory in the historic race. However, a week later, it was announced that the horse tested positive for an elevated level of the corticosteroid betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug. Churchill Downs subsequently suspended Baffert from entering horses at the track in future races. Baffert called the positive test "a complete injustice," claiming Medina Spirit had never been treated with betamethasone. In an interview with Fox News, he called the suspension "a cancel culture kind of thing." On May 11, Baffert acknowledged the horse was treated with Otomax, an antifungal ointment that contains betamethasone. "While we do not know definitively that this was the source of the alleged 21 picograms found in Medina Spirit's post-race blood sample, I have been told by equine pharmacology experts that this could explain the test results," Baffert said. Medina Spirit was allowed to run in the Preakness, the second leg of the sport's Triple Crown, but finished fourth. On May 17, the New York Racing Association announced Baffert's suspension. The NYRA said the suspension was temporary, as a "final determination regarding the length and terms" would be made "based on information revealed during the course of the ongoing investigation in Kentucky." Baffert's suit argues that because the Kentucky investigation is "likely to go on for years, NYRA has correspondingly banned Baffert from participating in New York racing for several years."

Big Number:

5. That's the number of horses trained by Baffert that have failed drug tests over the past 18 months.  

Further Reading:

Kentucky Derby Winner Tests Positive For Banned Raceday Substance, Trainer Suspended (Forbes) 

Kentucky Derby-Winning Trainer Bob Baffert Banned From Belmont Over Horse's Positive Drug Test (Forbes)

Follow me on TwitterSend me a secure tip