Trainer Bob Baffert's lawyers have re-filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against Churchill Downs, Inc., reports the Thoroughbred Daily News, in an attempt to allow the trainer to enter horses in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
CDI banned Baffert from its properties from June of 2021 through the end of the Spring Meet in 2023, following the confirmation of the presence of betamethasone, a prohibited race-day substance, in Medina Spirit's bloodstream on the day of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby in violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky's equine medication protocols and CDI's terms and conditions for racing.
Baffert's lawyers initially filed suit seeking an injunction on Feb. 28, 2022, but it was withdrawn when Baffert had to start serving his 90-day suspension from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission about a month before the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
This lawsuit is a renewed motion for that same preliminary injunction, seeking to allow Baffert trainees to take part in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
“Granting an injunction would work no hardship on Defendants,” the filing reads. “Numerous rules and regulations already safeguard CDI's interests in health, integrity, safety, and fairness. Baffert has already served his time for the mere allegation of a violation which has yet to be fully adjudicated, and there is no doubt among industry observers and even casual spectators that Baffert suffered consequences for the mere perception of wrongdoing.”
It continues: “The hardships Baffert will suffer absent an injunction far outweigh Defendants' abstract concerns. Eligibility for races on CDI tracks, including legendary stakes races like the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, are restricted by age. Defendants' suspension means those horses will lose their chance to compete in those races forever. If owners wish to enter their horses in those races, they must forego Baffert's services, causing substantial damage to Baffert's business. CDI's hypothetical, reckless, and empirically disproven allegations of harm pale in comparison to the continuing damage Defendants continue to inflict upon Baffert, his business, and his reputation.”
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
The post Baffert Lawyers Renew Lawsuit Against CDI; Trainer Seeking Entry To 2023 Kentucky Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
