With sanctions in place or currently in place from both the Kentucky regulator as well as track owner Churchill Downs Inc., coach Bob Baffert announced on March 24 that four of them his top 3 year olds—Messier , Doppelganger , McLaren Vale and Bladder – will be transferred to other coaches.
The 90-day suspension issued to Baffert by the Kentucky Equestrian Commission is expected to go into effect next month, unless a legal ruling is in favor of the trainer. Additionally, Baffert’s top 3 drivers this spring failed to win any qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, as CDI suspended him from its tracks until mid-2023.
The “private property” suspension order issued by CDI is separate from the suspension order issued by KHRC. Both sanctions are being fought by Baffert’s attorneys in court, with Baffert’s attorneys asking the Kentucky Court of Appeals to grant him a temporary suspension after both KHRC and Franklin Judges Thomas Wingate Circuit Court both turned him down.
Baffert Practitioners’ drug-related suspension, limited by a positive test for betamethasone following Zedan Racing Stables’ race for betamethasone following the 2021 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs. The KHRC’s suspension of Baffert was issued last month, along with Medina Spirit’s disqualification.
Because of reciprocity, the suspension of the KHRC — once initiated — will be respected by all other racing nations and major international jurisdictions. In California, Baffert would be asked to clear his barn, remove signage, and turn over his horses to other trainers.
Three-year-olds previously coached by Baffert can earn qualifying points for finishing in the top four in the Road to the Kentucky Derby when starting for other coaches.
Messier, Doppelganger and McLaren Vale will remain on the West Coast and will be transferred to coach Tim Yakteen, a former Baffert assistant who began his own coaching career in 2004. Yakteen is based in Southern California, Baffert too.
Doubles bet winner Messier is one of the earliest favorites for the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 9 at Santa Anita . Park. Doppelganger and McLaren Vale are classified ponies. Blackadder will join coach Rodolphe Brisset, who is running in Kentucky, Arkansas and eastern parts of the country. Blackadder is a skilled synthesizer who won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Field. That race earned him an automatic entry to this year’s Preakness Stakes (G1).
SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm are partners in the four horses.
Oaklawn Park. McLaren Vale is a possibility for either of those stakes. While in Kentucky, Blackadder will run in Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on April 2 on a synthetic surface at Lawn Park or April 9 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. All four of those stakes yield 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the top four finishers.
“Bob said from the start that he appreciates the support we’ve given him and that if we have horses good enough to get to the Kentucky Derby, they’ll make it with or without him.” Sol Kumin, head of Madaket Stables said. Coporation, group. “He said he would not stand in our way and would encourage us to do so. He still has his own fight, but now is the time to move a few horses that have a chance to run in the run. Derby and Bob supports that because it’s the right thing to do for the owners and he deserves credit for that.”
Four 3-year-olds make up only a small percentage of Baffert’s 90-horse stable, divided into two zones between Santa Anita Park and Santa Anita Park. Racetrack Los Alamitos.
“The most important thing for me is that Messier, Doppelganger, McLaren Vale and Blackadder – some of the top talent in racing this year – can compete,” said Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown winner. cadets have won the Kentucky Derby six times.
“I’ve encouraged owners to move them, not only because it’s best for these horses and their future in motorsport, but also for the fans of the sport, who are very proud. I’m excited to watch them run. I know they’re being coached very well by Tim and Rudy, and I look forward to cheering them on,” added the coach.
Bob Baffert speaks to the media the day after Medina Spirit crossed the first wire in the 2021 Kentucky Derby
California rules regarding suspension do not allow trainers to pass horses to current assistants. There is similar language in the CDI ban.
“Churchill has imposed unprecedented unilateral requirements and restrictions regarding the participation of these horses,” Baffert attorney Clark Brewster said in the statement. “Legal remedies on Bob’s behalf may not be completed for several months. Therefore, transferring training from Bob to Mr. Yakteen will minimize the damage — at least since they involve four horses. this — while the administrative and judicial authorities administer the proceedings.”
In court earlier this month, Baffert’s lawyers claimed the suspension would hit the coach heavily and potentially ruin his career. They argued that California Jockey Board rules required a coach suspended from racing for the length of Baffert to clear up and forfeited stable space.
While these rules apply to violations in California, the CHRB clarified in a release this week that it will apply its rules as a result of reciprocity with KHRC.
If Baffert serves a suspended sentence, it is unclear who will train his large number of horses.
“Right now, that’s a question that’s not ready to be answered,” Baffert said LA timeFirst report of barn changes.
The Times further reported that Baffert said he’s still assessing whether any of his 3-year-olds will change barns to try and qualify for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), which runs at Churchill Downs one day. days before the May Kentucky Derby (G1).
Neither Brisset nor Yakteen had begun riding in the Kentucky Derby. Both are decentralized winning coaches.
Changing the stables of four horses could also prove beneficial for Churchill Downs, which, before the KHRC pauses and potential deployment this spring, already threatens to exhaust the signature race of some talent. Top 3 years old in the Country. With the suspension of reciprocity, Baffert can continue to train the horses and wait for a race such as Preakness with them.
None of the four horses transferred was previously a personal preference in the Kentucky Derby Future betting pool, placing them in a category known as “all other 3-year-olds,” Also known as field.
Without any points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, each will likely need to secure at least a second or top three place in the upcoming Derby qualifiers to secure entry into the classics. 20 horses, often oversubscribed.
This story will be updated.
