The following statement was issued by 1/ST Racing, which operates Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., concerning the 90-day suspension of trainer Bob Baffert for a betamethasone positive test in Medina Spirit following the horse's first-place finish in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. The suspension goes into effect on Monday, April 4, after the Kentucky Court of Appeals opted not to issue an emergency stay of the ban that had been requested by Baffert's attorneys.
The California Horse Racing Board announced on Saturday, April 2 that “[trainer Bob Baffert is now suspended pursuant to CHRB Rule 1484].” California has thus reciprocated the suspension against Bob Baffert imposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which will begin on April 4, 2022. Because of the CHRB's ruling, any trainer on the grounds at Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields, San Luis Rey Downs or Los Alamitos Race Course who may be the transferee of horses from the Baffert barn will be required to apply for stalls for those horses from the Santa Anita or Golden Gate Fields racing offices, as applicable, for review and approval. A Change of Trainer form will also be required to be submitted in order to enter races following such transfer. Horses that are not transferred to a trainer in California will be required to leave the grounds prior to April 4.
Because the suspension is over 60 days, under CHRB rules, during the term of the suspension Mr. Baffert will be banned from all enclosures under the jurisdiction of the CHRB and Mr. Baffert shall not be permitted to be involved in the training of horses who have previously been under his care. Any trainer who may apply for stalls in anticipation of a transfer will be required to comply fully with any applicable restrictions.
The CHRB rules require Baffert to vacate his barn at Santa Anita Park prior to the start of the suspension on April 4, along with removing all signage, colors and training equipment belonging to the trainer. The closing day of Santa Anita's winter-spring season on June 19, 2022. The 90-day suspension from the KHRC concludes the following week.
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