Including its namesake flagship property, Churchill Downs owns four thoroughbred tracks. The others are Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., Fair Grounds in New Orleans, and Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa.<\/p>\n
\nThey’ve never done this,\u201d <\/strong>Brewster said about Churchill Downs. \u201cThis is the first time ever. Now in the past, they say, \u2018Well, we have the right to exclude people if they’re drunk or they’re a threat or come on premises and get into a fight.\u2019 Certainly, but this isn’t that at all.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nBrewster also said the portrayal of Baffert in articles since the Medina Spirit failed test was announced has been unfair. His client has an \u201camazing\u201d record, he said.<\/p>\n
In a career spanning more than four decades, Baffert\u2019s horses have failed drug tests at least 29 times. However, Brewster said that his client has entered 727 horses in Kentucky over the last 29 years. In that time, Brewster said only one horse \u2013 Gamine in the 2020 Kentucky Oaks \u2013 came back with a drug test violation.<\/p>\n
Gamine was also found to have an excessive amount of betamethasone in her system, which Brewster said came from two injections 18 days out. State guidelines call for one injection no earlier than 14 days before a race.<\/p>\n
The filly was stripped of her third-place finish in the 2020 Oaks and Baffert was fined $1,500 after waiving his right to appeal.<\/p>\n
Key Derby Preps Start Next Month<\/h2>\n Churchill Downs\u2019 ban has already had some implications. Corniche, a colt trained by Baffert, won the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita in October and the Breeders\u2019 Cup Juvenile at Del Mar a month later. Churchill awarded Derby points to top finishers in those races. But Corniche did not receive any.<\/p>\n
Two other Baffert horses finished first and second in the Jan. 1 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. But Churchill Downs did not give Newgrange 10 points, nor Rockefeller four points for their finish.<\/p>\n
If Corniche received the 30 points for winning his two races, he\u2019d be firmly at the top of the current standings. Newgrange would also be near the top of the leaderboard.<\/strong><\/p>\nHowever, the major races for Derby qualification do not begin for more than a month. Starting in mid-February, races will take place that offers 50 qualifying points for each winner. From March 26 to April 9, there are eight races where the winner gets 100 points.<\/p>\n
Earning 50 points typically is enough to qualify for the Derby.<\/p>\n
Brewster told Casino.org<\/em> that he\u2019d rather not file a lawsuit and hoped that the discussions could resolve the matter. However,<\/p>\n\nI’ve never seen a situation where a party wouldn’t even engage in any kind of dialogue, became truly intransigent,\u201d <\/strong>Brewster said. \u201cThat makes no sense except that you feel like you’re omnipotent or all-powerful in some way.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nChurchill Downs was not the only entity to act after the Medina Spirit test. The New York Racing Association also banned Baffert. However, the trainer won an injunction in federal court after a judge ruled NYRA denied Baffert due process. NYRA has since scheduled a hearing that will take place on Jan. 24<\/p>\n
Churchill Downs May Seek to Protect Itself<\/h2>\n In a statement after The Times<\/em> published its article, Churchill Downs Inc. said it was \u201ccommitted to protecting the integrity and future\u201d of the sport for all who participate. That includes the horses, fans, and bettors.<\/p>\n\u201cNo one is above the rules, including Mr. Baffert, and we remain intent on holding him accountable for his actions,\u201d<\/strong> the company said.<\/p>\n\n
Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen told The Times<\/em> the potential lawsuit is a page from Baffert\u2019s \u201cwell-worn playbook of obfuscating the facts, inventing excuses to explain positive drug tests, and attempting to blame others to avoid responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nCarstanjen added that Churchill is considering its own lawsuit in response.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are considering any and all legal options available to us to set the record straight and ensure Mr. Baffert is held accountable for all the reputational damage he has caused us,\u201d <\/strong>Carstanjen said. \u201cThe irony is not lost on us that despite all of his violations, he is the one threatening to file lawsuits claiming to be aggrieved.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A lawyer for Bob Baffert confirmed to Casino.org Monday night that the Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer is considering a federal lawsuit against Churchill Downs Inc. The action is an effort to have his 3-year-olds eligible to run in this year\u2019s Kentucky Derby. Earlier Monday, The New York Times reported Baffert was considering a suit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":197653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14577,60],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Bob Baffert May Sue Churchill Downs Over Kentucky Derby Ban<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n