Baffert denies Kentucky Derby doping accusation

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has tested positive for elevated levels of betamethasone, trainer Bob Baffert revealed Sunday, throwing the horse's victory last weekend at Churchill Downs into question.
Speaking to reporters Sunday morning, Baffert denied that the horse had ever been treated with the drug, which is sometimes used for joint pain in horses, saying his team would conduct its own investigation.
"Yesterday I got the biggest gut punch in racing for something that I didn't do," Baffert said, adding it was an "injustice to the horse."
"I don't feel embarrassed, I feel like I was wronged. But I'm going to fight it."
Betamethasone is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that is allowed in horse racing at a certain level. But Baffert said he'd been informed that Medina Spirit's postrace test detected 21 picograms per milliliter — more than double the legal threshold in Kentucky racing.
Churchill Downs on Sunday announced it would immediately suspend Baffert, barring him from entering horses to race at the track.

#CNN #Newsroom #CarolynManno

34 comments

  1. Failing a drug test! If it’s the rules then the appropriate action has to be taken. Someone(s) is at fault (maybe carelessness) but the innocent(s) should not have to pay but receive compensation.

  2. The horse wasn’t drugged, Bob Baffert never had face-lifts, and his hair is perfectly natural.

    1. And we all know that the only reason CNN is giving this story any time is because the horse is black.

  3. I’m not a big Baffert fan, but I find it hard to believe that he’d do this. But then again…I saw Justify win the Triple Crown. It sucked to know that he tested positive after the race. They need to test before the race but they don’t want to mess up bets at the last minute…

    1. They can test before the race all the want . Once the jockeys are in the gate for 20 something seconds anything possible . They where giving BIG BROWN cocaine before his races

  4. James, there’s a book with your name on it. I would read again if I were you. That is, if you can read the king’s english, sir

    1. They use to shove sponges up their noses and 2 by 4’s up her —. No joke. Baffert got busted giving morphine to a horse and was ratted out by his own employee.

  5. Man, how many times Bob Baffert getaways with drugging his horses before the racing committee do something.

  6. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ
    1)For decades, perpetrators have gained access to Bob Baffert’s prized horses in an effort to sabotage his reputation.
    2)Bob Baffert got caught cheating again.

  7. Baffert can deny all he wants. The ultimate responsibility lies with you, My Man. If Medina’s Spirit or Concert Tour run, I won’t be watching. Save the Sport.

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