Bob Baffert's Kentucky Derby Absence: A Timeline of Controversies and Suspensions

Bob Baffert, a renowned Hall of Fame horse trainer, will be absent from the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby for the third year in a row due to a suspension stemming from a failed drug test. Here's a comprehensive timeline of events that led to Baffert's suspension and subsequent legal battles.

On May 1, 2021, Medina Spirit, a 3-year-old colt trained by Bob Baffert, triumphed in the Kentucky Derby, securing Baffert's seventh victory in the prestigious race. However, just days later, news broke that Medina Spirit had tested positive for an excessive amount of betamethasone, a steroid, after the race.

Following the failed drug test, Churchill Downs immediately suspended Baffert, who denied wrongdoing and maintained that Medina Spirit's positive test was due to the use of an ointment called Otomax, which he claimed was properly administered. The suspension was extended to include all racetracks under the Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) umbrella.

In February 2022, Churchill Downs officially declared Mandaloun, the second-place finisher, as the winner of the 147th Kentucky Derby after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) confirmed Medina Spirit's violation of racing rules. Baffert was subsequently fined and suspended for two years by the KHRC.

Unwilling to accept the suspension, Baffert filed a lawsuit against Churchill Downs, its CEO, and board chair in March 2022. He argued that he had been denied due process and that the racetrack's actions were motivated by a desire to damage his reputation.

In May 2023, a federal judge dismissed Baffert's lawsuit, ruling that Churchill Downs had acted within its rights to suspend him. The judge also denied Baffert's request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to participate in the Kentucky Derby.

Despite the dismissal of his lawsuit, Baffert remained determined to overturn his suspension. However, in July 2023, Churchill Downs announced that his ban would be extended through 2024. The racetrack cited Baffert's continued refusal to accept responsibility for Medina Spirit's drug test failure.

In January 2024, Baffert announced that he had dropped his appeal related to Medina Spirit's disqualification and that he would focus on the future of his racing career. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the sport and acknowledged the need for clarity in drug testing regulations.

Despite Baffert's efforts to have his suspension lifted, an April 2024 Kentucky appeals court judge denied an emergency relief hearing that would have allowed his horse Muth to compete in the 150th Kentucky Derby. This ruling confirmed that Baffert will not participate in the race, which is set to take place on May 4, 2024.