The official hearing for Bob Baffert's potential suspension from New York Racing Association tracks will begin on Jan. 24, reports the Daily Racing Form. That date was decided during Monday's initial meeting between NYRA and Baffert's attorneys, which was presided over by O. Peter Sherwood, the retired New York State Supreme Court justice serving as a NYRA-appointed hearing officer.
NYRA issued a statement of charges against Baffert and fellow trainer Marcus Vitali on Sept. 10, and initially scheduled a hearing for Baffert to begin on Sept. 27. However, that hearing was delayed until Oct. 11 as Baffert's attorney requested additional time. Baffert was not expected to participate during Monday's meeting, because it was convened only to schedule future dates and deadlines.
NYRA had notified Baffert ahead of the Belmont Stakes that it was suspending his ability to enter horses in races or have stall space at its racetracks due to his recent history of medication violations (five over a one-year period), the conflicting statements he provided to media around the Medina Spirit scandal, and Churchill Downs' suspension of the trainer.
Judge Carol Bagley Amon of the Eastern District of New York determined that NYRA's suspension of Baffert should not have taken place without some sort of hearing allowing him to address the organization's accusations against him. Although NYRA was asserting its private property rights in the case, Amon said the organization is closely entwined enough with the state that its suspension of Baffert constituted a state action, thereby requiring due process.
The upcoming hearing process, laid out by NYRA in it's official statement on Sept. 10, is not expected to be brief. The hearing may last several days, and Sherwood is not required to issue his post-hearing report with recommendations within a specific period of time.
Once that report has been issued, a panel will review it and issue a final decision within 10 days.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
Here is an archive of stories about Baffert's legal battle with the New York Racing Association:
- May 16, 2021: Baffert Handed Temporary Suspension From NYRA Tracks
- June 14, 2021: Baffert Files New York Lawsuit Claiming NYRA Has No Legal Authority For Suspension
- June 23, 2021: Baffert Vs. NYRA: The Jockey Club Asks To Weigh In On 'Deleterious Effects Of Improper Drug Use'
- July 1, 2021: NYRA: Baffert Ban Necessary To Protect Horses, Riders And Ensure Integrity
- July 8, 2021: Baffert Attorneys: 'It Does Not Serve The Integrity Of Horse Racing To Suspend First And Ask Questions Later'
- July 9, 2021: Five Owners On The Verge Of Leaving Bob Baffert Over NYRA Ban, Legal Filing Reveals
- July 12, 2021: Judge Delays Ruling On Baffert's Lawsuit Against NYRA
- July 14, 2021: Baffert Prevails In Suit Over NYRA Suspension
- Sept. 10, 2021: NYRA Issues Statement Of Charges, Notice Of Hearing To Bob Baffert, Marcus Vitali
- Sept. 21, 2021: Baffert's Attorneys File Letter Protesting Planned NYRA Hearing
- Sept. 28, 2021: NYRA Calls Baffert's Attempt To Collect Legal Fees 'Premature'
- Sept. 30, 2021: NYRA: New Procedures Are 'Exactly' What Baffert Asked For, Hearing Pushed To Oct. 11
- Oct. 1, 2021: 'I've Learned Who My Friends Are': Baffert Opens Up For The First Time Since May
- Oct. 5, 2021: Baffert Loses Bid To Have NYRA Hearing Stayed
Additional stories about Baffert's Kentucky Derby positive and ensuing legal battles can be found here.
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