Trainer Bob Baffert suspended from entering Medina Spirit, other horses at Belmont Park

Bob Baffert was suspended Monday from coming into horses at New York racetracks, pending an investigation into Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s failed postrace drug check.

Baffert quickly won’t be allowed to steady any horses at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course or run any of his horses on the New York Racing Affiliation’s tracks. That ban consists of races at Belmont Park, with the Belmont Stakes arising June 5.

“With the intention to keep a profitable thoroughbred racing business in New York, NYRA should defend the integrity of the game for our followers, the betting public and racing members,” NYRA president and CEO Dave O’Rourke mentioned. “That accountability calls for the motion taken as we speak in the very best pursuits of thoroughbred racing.”

Baffert had not dedicated to coming into any horses within the third leg of the Triple Crown however had many in consideration for different races on Belmont Stakes day.

NYRA officers say they took under consideration Baffert’s earlier penalties in Kentucky, California and Arkansas, together with the present state of affairs with Medina Spirit, and count on to make a last willpower in regards to the size and phrases of the suspension primarily based on info revealed by Kentucky’s ongoing investigation.

Baffert’s lawyer, Craig Robertson, mentioned in an electronic mail to The Related Press that he’s reviewing NYRA’s resolution and can focus on the state of affairs and authorized choices along with his consumer earlier than their camp makes any formal assertion.

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit examined optimistic for the steroid betamethasone in postrace testing and faces disqualification until a second check comes again detrimental. Baffert on Could 9 mentioned 21 picograms of the corticosteroid, which can be utilized to assist a horse’s joints, confirmed up within the blood pattern.

Baffert a day later mentioned an ointment used to deal with Medina Spirit for a pores and skin situation every day up till the Derby included the substance. Even a hint quantity of betamethasone in a horse’s system isn’t allowed on race day in Kentucky, Maryland and New York.

Maryland officers required Medina Spirit and Baffert-trained Preakness runner Live performance Tour and Black-Eyed Susan entrant Stunning Reward to bear three rounds of prerace testing earlier than they’d be allowed to run final weekend at Pimlico. All three handed and have been cleared to race.

Medina Spirit completed third and Live performance Tour ninth within the Preakness on Saturday. Stunning Reward was seventh within the Black-Eyed Susan on Friday.

Baffert has had 5 violations involving impermissible ranges of remedy in his horses over the previous 13 months. He was fined in Kentucky and Arkansas and averted a suspension in Arkansas following attraction.

Activist Marty Irby of the Animal Wellness Motion applauded NYRA’s resolution, saying the group is “elated to see the State of New York continues to make the welfare of the horse, and eradicating cheaters from the business, a prime precedence.”