Bob Baffert is back in the Kentucky Derby rotation after Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) lifted a three-year suspension of the Hall of Fame trainer, effective immediately.
Medina Spirit and Bob Baffert. Churchill Downs Photo.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be eligible to saddle horses for the 2025 Kentuky Derby
The announcement came Friday afternoon (July 19) in a Churchill Downs press release, with CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen stating: “We are satisfied that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a substantial penalty and is committed to running in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward.”
The suspension began a week after Medina Spirit’s first-place finish in the 2021 Derby, when the colt tested positive for a race-day overage of the regulated corticosteroid betamethasone and was disqualified. It would have been Baffert’s record-setting seventh victory in the Run for the Roses.
The original ban was two years but extended a third year after CDI said Baffert “continues to peddle a false narrative” of the Medina Spirit positive.
According to the press release, the end of the suspension came after Baffert issued a statement to CDI that read: “I accept responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive test in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. I am responsible for any substance found in the horses that I train, and I have paid a very steep price with a three-year suspension and the disqualification of Medina Spirit’s performance.”
After CDI received the statement, the company ended the ban that prohibited Baffert from stabling or running horses at CDI-owned tracks.
“I understand and appreciate that Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission took steps to enforce the rules that they believed were necessary to protect the safety and integrity of horse racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby,’’ Baffert’s statement read. “My family and I want to put this behind us and get back to doing what we love to do without any more distraction or negativity. I very much look forward to returning to Churchill Downs and getting back to the Winner’s Circle.”
Bet on Baffert holding a strong hand for 2025 Derby
Now that Baffert can focus on the Derby, be certain he’s mapping out schedules for his stable of 2-year-olds, many of them sent to his way from supporting owners including Amr Zedan, who owned Medina Spirit.
According to the Daily Racing Form, Baffert has a pair of unnamed 2-year-olds, one by Curlin purchased for $4 million, another by Into Mischief that fetched $3.2 million (Zedan is the owner).
A trio of his juveniles have already run – Midland Money, Privman, and Zedan-owner filly Nooni ($1.8 million purchase). Unraced juveniles include Emerald Bay, Authentic Spirit, Cornucopian, Gaming, Goal Oriented, Kalea Bay, Lannister, and Madaket Road.
He also has several 2-year-old fillies that could wind up in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), the day before the 2025 Derby.
So, for those who bet horse racing, keep your eyes on Baffert’s 2-year-old colts and fillies over the summer and leading up to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in November.