Tag: Churchill Downs

Churchill Bans Baffert for Two Years

Churchill Downs Incorporated has suspended Bob Baffert for two years effective immediately through the conclusion of the Churchill 2023 spring meet. The suspension prohibits Baffert, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all CDI-owned racetracks. This decision follows the confirmation by attorneys represening Bob Baffert of the presence of betamethasone, a prohibited race-day substance, in Medina Spirit's (Protonico) bloodstream on the day of the 147th running of the GI Kentucky Derby in violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky's equine medication protocols and CDI's terms and conditions for racing.

“CDI has consistently advocated for strict medication regulations so that we can confidently ensure that horses are fit to race and the races are conducted fairly,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “Reckless practices and substance violations that jeopardize the safety of our equine and human athletes or compromise the integrity of our sport are not acceptable and as a company we must take measures to demonstrate that they will not be tolerated. Mr. Baffert's record of testing failures threatens public confidence in thoroughbred racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby. Given these repeated failures over the last year, including the increasingly extraordinary explanations, we firmly believe that asserting our rights to impose these measures is our duty and responsibility.”

CDI reserves the right to extend Baffert's suspension if there are additional violations in any racing jurisdiction.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has the sole authority to disqualify Medina Spirt as the winner of Kentucky Derby 147.

The post Churchill Bans Baffert for Two Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘Reckless Practices,’ ‘Repeated Failures’: Churchill Downs Suspends Bob Baffert For Two Years

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) announced Wednesday the suspension of Bob Baffert for two years effective immediately through the conclusion of the 2023 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs Racetrack. The suspension prohibits Baffert, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all CDI-owned racetracks.

This decision follows the confirmation by attorneys representing Bob Baffert 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.

“CDI has consistently advocated for strict medication regulations so that we can confidently ensure that horses are fit to race and the races are conducted fairly,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “Reckless practices and substance violations that jeopardize the safety of our equine and human athletes or compromise the integrity of our sport are not acceptable and as a company we must take measures to demonstrate that they will not be tolerated. Mr. Baffert's record of testing failures threatens public confidence in Thoroughbred racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby. Given these repeated failures over the last year, including the increasingly extraordinary explanations, we firmly believe that asserting our rights to impose these measures is our duty and responsibility.”

CDI reserves the right to extend Baffert's suspension if there are additional violations in any racing jurisdiction.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (“KHRC”) has the sole authority to disqualify Medina Spirt as the winner of Kentucky Derby 147. It is the understanding of CDI that the KHRC is pursuing the completion of its investigation of this matter in accordance with its rules and regulations.

The post ‘Reckless Practices,’ ‘Repeated Failures’: Churchill Downs Suspends Bob Baffert For Two Years appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Former Newmarket-Based Trainer Ed Vaughan Scores First U.S. Win

Former European-based trainer Ed Vaughan recorded his first win in North America on Sunday when front-running Alnaseem (GB) captured a $104,000 conditioned allowance event at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Alnaseem, who was ridden to a 3 ¾-length victory on the Matt Winn Turf Course by Adam Beschizza, was Vaughan's ninth starter in the U.S.

“We got over to the U.S. in November and have been stabled at Keeneland since then,” Vaughan said. “In (Alnaseem's) stateside-debut, she ran as we expected. She was training well but had to get used to learning how horses run here being quicker from the gates.”

Beschizza and Vaughan have teamed up several times in Europe prior to Beschizza moving his tack to the U.S. in late 2017. The 28-year-old Beschizza used to be Vaughan's primary stable jockey in Europe.

Vaughan took out his trainer's license in 2004 and was based at Newmarket until his move to Keeneland in 2020. He spent four years working in the U.S. after graduating from the Irish National Stud course. He served as the assistant trainer to Noel Chance prior to joining forces with the late Alec Stewart. Vaughan started training on his own following Stewart's death in 2004, eventually moving his stable to Newmarket in 2011.

In Europe, Vaughan campaigned multiple Group 2 winner Dame Malliot and Group 3 winner Robin Hoods Bay (GB).

“The Kentucky circuit is a good place to be based,” Vaughan said. “Being at Keeneland it gives you the option to ship to many tracks around the area including Churchill Downs.”

For more information on Vaughan, fans can follow him on his Twitter at @edvaughan1.

The post Former Newmarket-Based Trainer Ed Vaughan Scores First U.S. Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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$504 Payout In Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 Between Belmont Park, Churchill Downs

The Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday, featuring graded stakes action from Belmont and Churchill Downs, tallied a total pool of $144,746, paying out $504.25 for selecting all five winners for the 50-cent wager.

Gam's Mission kicked off the sequence – and stakes competition – with a three-quarter length victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Regret for 3-year-old fillies in Churchill's Race 8. Jockey Adam Beschizza tracked Gam's Mission in fifth position in the 1 1/8-mile turf contest before a strong finish bested the favorite Spanish Loveaffair. Trainer Cherie DeVaux earned her first graded stakes win for the effort. Gam's Mission completed the course in 1:51.02 and returned $14.20 on a $2 win wager.

Action shifted to Belmont for the second leg, which saw Doubly Blessed defeat favorite Mystic Night by 1 1/2 lengths to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming contest in Race 8. Doubly Blessed, trained by Mike Maker and ridden by Luis Saez, recorded a final time of 1:42.53 paying $8 after going off at 3-1.

Churchill, located in Louisville, Kentucky, continued with its strong Saturday card, as Fulsome won the third leg with a 3 3/4-length definitive score in the Grade 3, $150,000 Matt Winn for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the main track in Race 9. The first favorite to win in Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5 rallied from seventh at the half-mile mark, hitting the wire in 1:42.88 under jockey Florent Geroux. The Brad Cox trainee paid $5.40.

Another favorite won Belmont's featured race, as Sainthood, whose previous start was an 11th-place effort in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, thrived in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge that was moved off the turf in Race 9.

Heavy rains turned the Pennine Ridge into a one-turn 1 1/8-mile main track contest over a sloppy and sealed track, with Sainthood fending off The Reds in the stretch to win by one length against a pared-down five-horse field.

Sainthood, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and ridden by Joel Rosario, paid $3.80 as the 4-5 favorite with a final time of 1:50.57.

Bango posted a half-length win in the $150,000 Aristides for 4-year-olds and up sprinting six furlongs on Churchill's main track in Race 10 to close the sequence. Bango, trained by Gregory Foley, notched a final time of 1:09.65, paying $10.60 after going off at 4-1.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on track, on ADW platforms, and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool.

The Cross Country Pick 5 will continue each Saturday throughout the year. For more information, visit NYRABets.com.

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