Churchill Downs lifts ban on Hall of Fame racehorse trainer Bob Baffert

Legendary trainer Bob Baffert has been cleared to compete in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs announced Friday that Baffert’s suspension has now been lifted, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Kentucky Derby venue announced that Baffert’s suspension was lifted after He released a statement on social media takes responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive doping test after the 147th race in 2021.

“I am responsible for all substances found in the horses I train,” Baffert said in the statement, “and I have paid a very high price with a three-year suspension and the disqualification of Medina Spirit.”

Baffert, a six-time Kentucky Derby winner, was suspended after the 2021 event after first-place finisher Medina Spirit tested positive for a corticosteroid called betamethasone, a drug injected into joints to reduce pain and swelling.

Betamethasone is allowed in horse racing up to a certain amount. However, a doping test found that Medina Spirit had 21 picograms of betamethasone – more than twice the permitted amount. The horse was disqualified, making second-place Mandaloun the winner, and Baffert was banned for two years.

Despite the positive test results, Baffert insisted that Medina Spirit was never treated with betamethasone. However, another of his horses, Gamine, tested positive for the same substance after finishing third in the 2020 Kentucky Oaks. Gamine was disqualified and Baffert was fined $1,500.

Despite the results, Baffert insists Medina Spirit was never treated with betamethasone. Another of his horses, Gamine, was tested for the same substance after finishing third in last year’s Kentucky Oaks. Gamine was subsequently disqualified, the owners were stripped of their prize money and Baffert was fined $1,500.

Medina Spirit’s disqualification cost Baffert his record seventh Kentucky Derby victory and left him out of horse racing’s most important event.

The ban was extended to three years in 2023 when Churchill Downs felt Baffert remained unwilling to accept responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive drug test, which showed he “cannot be trusted to avoid future misconduct.” His status was to be reviewed again after the suspension expires in 2025.

Baffert’s horses had also failed 30 drug tests over the past 40-plus years, including four in a six-month period, including the 2021 Derby. He is the most successful trainer in American horse racing. His horses have won seven Kentucky Derby titles and won the Triple Crown events (Derby, Belmont Stakes and Preakness) twice in a five-year period from 2016 to 2021.

He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.

“We are pleased that Mr. Baffert has accepted responsibility for his actions, served a significant sentence and is committed to acting in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs. in a subsequent statement.

“All parties agree that it is time to close this chapter and focus on the future,” the statement continued. “Mr. Baffert is welcome to return to any of CDI’s racetracks, including our flagship racetrack, Churchill Downs, and we wish him and his connections the best of luck in their future competitive endeavors.”