“Nowhere in NYRA's Response is there any contention that Baffert has violated any New York statute or racing rule,” the memo states. “In fact, the opposite is true. Over the course of his 46-year training career, including more than 30 years of racing in New York, Baffert has never even been accused of violating a New York rule and he has never faced discipline from either NYRA or the New York State Gaming Commission [NYSGC].

“Despite his distinguished New York racing career, without even a hint of wrongdoing, NYRA believes it has free rein to unilaterally void his constitutionally protected property rights and ban him from all activity in New York without notice and for an indefinite period of time based solely on unproven allegations of a minor infraction (an overage of an allowable medication) in another jurisdiction.”

Baffert filed suit against NYRA on June 14, nearly a month after the racing association notified the Hall of Fame trainer that he was temporarily banned from racing or stabling at NYRA tracks while the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission conducts its investigation into the post-race drug positive for Baffert-trained Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first in the May 1 Kentucky Derby. Baffert is seeking a temporary and permanent injunction against the ban.

As defendant in the case, NYRA filed a memorandum of law on June 30 in opposition to Baffert's motion for preliminary injunction. The Jockey Club filed a brief on that same date as amicus curiae, or friend of the court, claiming that its role as keeper of the Stud Book gives it a “unique interest in ensuring that when Thoroughbreds enter the breeding shed (where they determine the future of the breed through progeny), they do so with records uninfluenced by the effects of medication.”

Both those court filings struck the same note, countering Baffert's argument that he will suffer irreparable harm as a result of his ban from Belmont Park and the upcoming high-profile meeting at Saratoga.

In response, the July 7 memo from Baffert's attorneys argues: “There is no compensating for the missed opportunity to participate in prestigious races that define the success of a trainer's career and garner goodwill with clients. NYRA's argument that Baffert cannot prove irreparable harm because he can still race in other states is missing the mark. First, there is no meet more prestigious than Saratoga and the gravitas and economic benefit that come from New York racing cannot be overstated. (…) Baffert's runners in New York win almost three times the amount that they do outside New York. This demonstrates the importance of NYRA racing to Baffert despite the fact that he races in other jurisdictions.”

NYRA's June 30 memo contends that the decision to ban Baffert “was based on probable cause that plaintiff's actions warranted suspension and was necessary to protect the safety of the racehorses and their riders, and required to ensure the integrity of the sport.”

Baffert's attorneys insist that NYRA acting on behalf of the sport's integrity is a “false narrative.”

“The fact NYRA routinely allows onto its tracks trainers who have actually been found to have broken New York's rules of racing completely shatters that false narrative,” their July 7 memo states. “NYRA smears Baffert with allegations about other positive tests, without providing the critical context of those, including that they involved minor overages of permitted substances, none of which merited a suspension and some of which, Baffert was, for all practical purposes, vindicated. … It does not serve the 'integrity' of horse racing to suspend first and ask questions later.”

A hearing on the motion for injunctive relief is scheduled for July 12.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

Additional stories about Baffert's Kentucky Derby positive and ensuing legal battles, listed in order from most recent to the original story:

• NYRA: Baffert Ban Necessary To Protect Horses, Riders And Ensure Integrity
• Baffert Vs. NYRA: The Jockey Club Asks To Weigh In On 'Deleterious Effects Of Improper Drug Use'
• Report: Baffert Trainees Have The Highest Death Rate In California
• Baffert Files New York Lawsuit Claiming NYRA Has No Legal Authority For Suspension
• Baffert, Zedan File Suit Against Kentucky Commission Over Extra Testing In Medina Spirit Saga
• 'Reckless Practices,' 'Repeated Failures': Churchill Downs Suspends Bob Baffert For Two Years
• Baffert The Center Of Two More Civil Suits In Federal Court In Medina Spirit Case
• California Horse Racing Board Will Not Suspend Baffert's License Without Due Process
• Baffert Handed Temporary Suspension From NYRA Tracks
• Preakness Saturday Statement From Baffert: I Am 'Truly Sorry' For Handling Of Medina Spirit Scandal
• Horseplayers Sue Baffert, Zedan Racing Over Medina Spirit Drug Test
• Show Us The Paper, Bob: Records To Back Up Baffert's Story Remain A Matter Of Trust
• Raising The Bar? Hore's Advisory Role With Baffert 'Did Not Materialize As Intended'
• Baffert: Anti-Fungal Ointment Could Be Source Of Betamethasone Positive In Medina Spirit
• Baffert's Attorney Prepared To File Temporary Restraining Order Allowing Medina Spirit To Enter Preakness
• Churchill Downs Immediately Suspends Baffert From Entering Horses
• Baffert: Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit Tests Positive For Betamethasone

The post Baffert Attorneys: ‘It Does Not Serve The Integrity Of Horse Racing To Suspend First And Ask Questions Later’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Al Zarooni served an eight-year steroids ban, which he completed in April 2021, and is setting up a public stable at Sharjah racecourse.

“I applied for my licence to the Emirates Racing Authority and they approved it,” he said. “I want to come back and show that Mahmood wasn't cheating. I want to clean my name.

“I made a big mistake and I learned from my mistake. I want to prove that I was clean, I was trying my best to be clean but this mistake happened.”

Al Zarooni, 45, trained three Classic winners during his time in charge of one of Sheikh Mohammed's two Newmarket stables. However, he was cast out of the sport in disgrace when he was disqualified for eight years by a BHA disciplinary panel after 11 horses in his care tested positive for the anabolic steroids ethylestranol and stanozolol.

The ban was reciprocated worldwide but now Al Zarooni is free to work again in horse racing and has formed a partnership with Marwan Abdul Rahman, who has been working as an assistant trainer in Dubai.

“Marwan had talked to me about doing something together,” said Al Zarooni. “When my ban finished and I got my clearance for the BHA we decided to have a public stable and we will be based in the Sharjah Equestrian Club.

“Sheikh Adbullah Bin Majid [chairman of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club] is one of the founders of the sport of horse racing here and has always been a grateful supporter to all small trainers and owners. I have been one of them during my early days before joining Godolphin. I would like to thank him for his support and hope my second rising will be from his center.

“Sharjah has everything you need in terms of facilities so I hope we can do good,” he went on. “I hope owners will support us. I would like to have some international owners, especially English owners, because I receive many messages from them asking me to come to Newmarket. I love and miss Newmarket but it's difficult to do that at this time.

Al Zarooni added: “Marwan is a horse guy, he's been an assistant trainer for about four years. I think we can do good.

“The stable is ready and we have around 20 horses there already. I have been visiting every two or three days but from next month I will be full time. We have to start from the bottom and see where we can reach. It won't be easy.”

As a Godolphin trainer, Al Zarooni's major wins included the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks with Blue Bunting in 2011, the Dubai Sheema Classic and Prince of Wales's Stakes with Rewilding the same year, and the Dubai World Cup in 2012 with Monterosso.

He recorded his last Classic victory with Encke, who in landing the 2012 St Leger denied Camelot an historic Triple Crown after the Coolmore colt had won the 2,000 Guineas and Derby.

Al Zarooni has claimed the use of steroids was for therapeutic treatment on horses out of training and not to cheat. In Dubai, the administration of steroids was permitted out of competition until May 2013.

“Eight years was too harsh,” he said. “I am not saying I shouldn't have been punished. I had to be punished, but I think eight years was like a sentence for killing someone. I thought they would ban me for three years, four years maximum. So I am still feeling bitter.

He added: “I am very happy to be back doing what I like. It's been a very tough eight years. Working with horses is like a drug, so to be away from them hurt. I am very happy that I will be with them again.

“I am sure it will be a very difficult time to start with the coronavirus situation as there is a shortage of Asian riders and I am too heavy to ride. We will start from zero again and try our best.”

This story was reprinted with permission by Horse Racing Planet. Find the original piece and more content here.

The post ‘I Learned From My Mistake’: Mahmood Al Zarooni Returns To Training After Eight-Year Ban appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Stewards had originally voted to impose a nine-year suspension with an $18,500 fine, but Battula appealed, and an administrative law judge (ALJ) later recommended a ban of two years with a $6,500 fine.

“Although the final decision accepts most of the ALJ's findings and conclusions, it rejects the ALJ's use of the criminal merger doctrine and her recommended penalties,” said NJRC chair Pamela Clyne at Wednesday's meeting. “The final decision finds that the appropriate penalties for possession of the vials, needles and drugs are a one-year and six-month suspension and a $5,000 fine.

“The final decision also adopts the ALJ's imposition of a one-year suspension and a $2,500 fine for injecting the horse at Monmouth Park in July 2019. Considering the trainer's penalty history, which includes two other drug positives, the final decision concludes that the appropriate penalties in this matter are suspensions totaling two years and six months and fines totaling $7,500. Finally, the final decision also clarifies that the rule prohibits possession of the injectable bottles as well as possession of the prohibited drugs that may be in them.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post New Jersey Commission Bans Aparna Battula 2 1/2 Years, Issues $7,500 Fine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The trainer said he deeply regrets the actions depicted in the photograph, which the Paulick Report has elected not to publish.

“It is indefensible,” Elliott told the Racing Post. “Whether alive or dead, the horse was entitled to dignity. A moment of madness that I am going to have to spend the rest of my life paying for and that my staff are suffering for.

“My heart goes out to all my staff. I know how hard they work. I know that I have not only let them down but that I have let the whole racing industry down too. That is down to my stupidity and I am truly, truly sorry.”

Read more at the Racing Post.

The post Embattled Trainer Elliott: ‘I Have Let The Whole Racing Industry Down’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Stott, older brother of Royal Ascot-winning jockey Kevin Stott, had to cease training with immediate effect and disband his stable over offences involving the use of Duphalyte, a combination of vitamins and electrolytes. While not a banned substance, Duphalyte is not allowed on raceday.

Stott has admitted administering the substance to two horses within the recommended 96-hour withdrawal time by mistake. However, the Scandinavian Doping Committee ruled these were “repeated and systematic” offences and recommended a four-year exclusion which was duly imposed last month by the Danish regulator, Dansk Galop.

Neither of the horses involved, both of whom are no longer in training, tested positive in a case that dates back to 2018.

“I was very stunned and upset when I found out about this,” said Stott, 34. “I didn't understand why and how they came to this decision.

“I think what they have done is very harsh,” he went on. “I made a mistake but the doping committee reckoned it was something I would do all the time and it wasn't a mistake, which is not the case.

“I thought I would get a fine. I am going to appeal the case and somehow try to change this. It's harsh that I have had to pay such a price.”

Stott's English father Ken Stott rode all over Europe as a jockey before settling in Denmark, where Marc has become one of the most successful trainers in the country from a base in Aarhus. He has won many of the Classics staged in Denmark, Sweden and Norway; he also trained a G3 winner in Germany last year.

Marc Stott believes the case against him was brought using veterinary bills provided by a disgruntled former owner. It was not heard by Dansk Galop but instead put before the Scandinavian Doping Committee, which sits in Sweden.

In a press release the Danish Jockey Club said the committee had found the case proven.

“The offences consist of repeated and systematic violations of the applicable waiting period for treatment with Duphalyte (liquid with vitamins and electrolytes given as drops), where the waiting time is 96 hours,” it said.

In a second statement, the Jockey Club added: “The case concerns partly illegal medication and partly violations of the current waiting period for treatment.

“Furthermore, there are repeated offences. Everyone in the sport regrets this unfortunate case, which we hope will be proof that we in every way must work on having a completely clean sport.”

Stott said: “A lot of people think this is about doping, but it's not. Duphalyte is vitamins and the systematic part of it is not true. I haven't had one horse ever test positive for anything since I started training in 2013.

“Apparently they had a bill from the owner that he handed in to the Jockey Club where it says the horses had this, and when they got it,” he added. “Some of it is a mistake and some is not, because it has been used while factoring in the 96 hours.

“That's why I am going to appeal and hope they understand that that is not the way I work.”

Stott claimed news of the ban had come virtually out of the blue. “Dansk Galop approached me in the middle of the summer and had a chat with me, and then I didn't hear anymore,” he claimed.

“Then five months later I got a call on a Friday night and they told me I had a suspension. I had nobody to represent me. I was told the verdict and that was it.

“I can only say I am sorry,” Stott added. “They were a couple of juvenile mistakes but the other things aren't true. It's very harsh; I've never been in any trouble before. The horses have been tested regularly and they've never found anything.

“I just hope people will understand my side of things so it won't have any effect on my future career because I love what I'm doing. Horses are my life and I am good at it.”

Dansk Galop chairman Nick Elsass said: “The Danish Jockey Club CEO has come up with this verdict and now Marc is appealing. Within two weeks he has to tell the Jockey Club whether he wants to appeal and he has confirmed he is going to.

“Then he has another 30 days to explain why he is appealing, for what reasons and what it is he is contesting. Then the appeal court will be set. Marc can have legal representation and call witnesses. We have advised Marc to bring someone who can present his case.

“It is a very professionally done procedure. There will be at least four people in the appeal court, one of which will be someone with formal legal training.”

Elsass added: “We are very sad about this story because Marc has now been punished and Marc is a very gifted horseman. You don't train horses like he has trained to win Derbys and other big races in Scandinavia if you're not. Therefore it's double harsh that we will lose him at least for a number of years because of this.”

This story was originally published on Horse Racing Planet and is reprinted here with permission. Find more content like this at HorseRacingPlanet.com.

The post Trainer Marc Stott Fighting For Career After ‘Very Harsh’ Four-Year Ban In Denmark appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The horse returned positive tests for active ingredients in a natural substance marketed as kratom after finishing second in races on Sept. 20 and Sept. 28. During a hearing on Oct. 22, Roe testified that he had purchased the substance for himself. He said he was aware he'd spilled the kratom into the joint supplement, but did not believe he'd spilled enough to affect the horse.

Candy My Boy was put on the vet's list for 180 days, and disqualified from both second-place finishes.

While not illegal in the United States, drugabuse.gov reports that kratom contains “compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects (…) Kratom can cause effects similar to both opioids and stimulants (…) When kratom is taken in small amounts, users report increased energy, sociability, and alertness instead of sedation.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post Prairie Meadows Stewards Hand Down One-Year Ban To Trainer Robert Roe appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Mullins had been refused access to Leopardstown when he did not have the proper barcode, but entered the course anyway because he believed his groom would struggle to handle the horse Oriental Eagle (entered in the Listed Saval Beg Stakes) on his own. The Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) called it an “extremely serious” breach of protocol, and fined the trainer €5,000 (about US$6,255).

“I accept the findings of today's hearing,” Mullins told the Racing Post. “I apologize for my actions, it was done without thought and in the heat of the moment. I won't be appealing, however, I have made a request to the IHRB that I donate the funds to our frontline workers.”

Read more at the Racing Post.

The post Irish Trainer Emmet Mullins Banned Three Months For Breaching COVID-19 Protocols appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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