Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert spoke to the Los Angeles Times this week regarding Medina Spirit's post-Kentucky Derby positive for betamethasone, the first time he's addressed the therapeutic medication overage publicly since May.
“I've learned who my friends are,” Baffert said of the last five months. “It's truly painful when you know what the truth is. There have been so many false narratives that have come up and the hearing process isn't even done yet. The consolation is knowing the truth will come out as the process plays out.”
On June 2, Baffert was banned from participation at tracks owned by Churchill Downs for two years after Zedan Racing Stables Inc.'s Medina Spirit failed a drug test following his first-place finish in this year's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
The positive test for the corticosteroid betamethasone on May 1 was Baffert's fifth failed drug test in 365 days, beginning with two lidocaine positives for Charlatan and Gamine at Oaklawn Park on May 2, 2020 – Charlatan's bad test coming in the G1 Arkansas Derby and eventual filly and mare sprint champion Gamine testing positive after an allowance win. Both Charlatan and Gamine were disqualified from their victories by Oaklawn stewards, but the Arkansas Racing Commission reinstated the wins, overturned a 15-day suspension of the trainer and fined him $10,000.
Baffert was fined $2,500 by California Horse Racing Board stewards after Merneith tested positive for dextromethorphan at Del Mar in July 2020 and then Gamine tested positive for a second time – this time for betamethasone – after a third-place finish in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4, 2020. She was disqualified and Baffert was fined $1,500.
Additional stories about Baffert's Kentucky Derby positive and ensuing legal battles can be found here.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.
The post ‘I’ve Learned Who My Friends Are’: Baffert Opens Up For The First Time Since May appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
