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The 151st execution of the Kentucky derby It will take place on the famous race track of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, May 3, and return for the first time in four years will be the horsepower coach of the Hall of Fame, Bob Baffert.
Baffert, one of the most successful coaches in the history of sport, returns this year after having lost the first stage of the triple crown for three consecutive years, a suspension that began with its seventh record victory in the race in 2021 that was later stripped due to a failed drug test.
Baffert, one of the only two coaches to win the coveted Triple crown On two occasions, it was considered by some of a couple in the community of horse racing after the consequences of the victory of the Kentucky derby of Medina Spirit in 2021.
Coach Bob Baffert moves a visitor outside his barn in Churchill Downs on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo AP/Charlie Riedel)
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May 2021 – Medina Spirit wins the Kentucky derby
Baffert assured his seventh victory of Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021, when Medina Spirit, the 3 -year foal owned by Zedan Racing Stables, won the first stage of the triple crown by half a length. The victory in Churchill Downs broke the record previously shared between Baffert and his partner coach of the Ben Jones Hall.
Medin’s spirit gives positive test; Baffert suspended
Days after being declared winner, it was announced on May 9, 2021 that Medina Spirit A drug test after the positive test for an excessive amount of steroid betamethasone had failed. Churchill Downs immediately suspended Baffert, who denied having acted badly.
“We understand that the blood sample of the winner of the Kentucky Medina Spirit derby indicated a violation of the Commonwealth of the Kentucky Equine Medicines protocols,” said the racing track in a statement at that time. “To be clear, if the findings are maintained, the results of Medina Spirit in the Kentucky derby will invalidate and send it will be declared winner.”
Baffert was also later prohibited by the New York Racing Association, waiting for research in Kentucky.
June 2021 – Baffert suspended in the long term
Medina Spirit, mounted by rider John Velázquez, #8, crosses the finish line to win the 147th Kentucky derby in Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2021. (Sam Mallon/Getty images)
Churchill Downs announced on June 2, 2021 that Baffert would be suspended from entering a horse on the famous horsepower during the next two years after a second sample after the Postrace failed a drug test.
February 2022 – Medina Spirit stripped of Derby title
On February 21, 2022, Churchill Downs officially recognized Mandaloun as the winner of the 147th Kentucky Derby race after the Kentucky Horse Commission of Horse of Kentucky announced that Medina Spirit was violating the racing rules. Baffert was suspended and fined by the commission.
Horse trained by Bob Baffert is not allowed to run in Kentucky Derby, Judge Rules
March 2022 – Baffert demands Churchill Downs
Baffert filed a lawsuit at the United States District Court for the West District of Kentucky against Churchill Downs, the CEO William C. Carstanjen and the president of the Board R. Alex Rankin, on March 1, 2022, in an attempt to revoke the suspension, arguing that the famous horse coach was not given the right to due process.
“The facts are clear, and Churchill Downs knows them, but refuses to recognize them,” said a Baffert lawyer at that time. “Churchill Downs knows that the report of the test after the breed occurred as a result of the use of a harmless ointment known as Otomax. They know that it was prescribed by the veterinarian of Medina Spirit and adequately and timely informed to the data bank the day that was dispensed. They know that no rule was violated, and the ointment could never have improved the performance of Medina Spirit.
May 2023 – Case against Churchill Downs dismissed
Coach Bob Baffert holds the trophy after Medina Spirit won the 147th Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2021. (Andy Lyons/Getty images)
A federal judge dismissed the case against the Kentucky racing track on May 25, 2023, after a previous attempt from Baffert’s legal team to lift the ban in February was denied. The decision occurred a few days after a Buffert horse won the preakness bets, An eighth record victory in the race for Baffert.
“Our actions to suspend Mr. Baffert after the positive of Medina Spirit confirmed for a prohibited substance of the day of the race, along with his extensive history of drug violations, was carried out in the best interest in protecting the integrity of the hand races (sic),” said Churchill Downs in a statement after the failure.
“Now, more than ever, participants and operators in this industry must assume individually and collectively the responsibility of taking all reasonable measures to protect our equine and human athletes and reject any practice that endangers that mission.”
Churchill Downs also said he reserved the right to extend the suspension of Baffert, a decision that would reach the end of his two -year prohibition.
July 2023 – Baffert’s suspension extended
Baffert’s suspension extended until 2024, Churchill Downs announced on July 3.
“Mr. Baffert continues to sell a false narrative about the Fald Drug Test of Medina Spirit in the 147th Kentucky Derby of which his horse was disqualified by Kentucky’s horse Racing Commission according to Kentucky’s law and regulations,” said the track in a statement.
“You cannot trust a coach who is not willing to accept the responsibility for multiple drug tests in our highest profile races to avoid future behavior. Mr. Baffert will remain suspended to enter horses in all track races owned by CDI until 2024. After such a time, we will reassess his state.”
January 2024 – Baffert Avanza
Coach Bob Baffert observes after winning Sir Barton’s bets before the 148th Preakness Stakes in Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 20, 2023. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Baffert announced on social networks earlier this year that he had instructed his lawyers to dismiss an appeal related to the disqualification of Medina Spirit in 2021.
“The owner of Zedan Racing, Amr Zedan, and I have decided that it is better to focus positively on the present and the future that our great sport offers,” he wrote in a statement published in X. “We thank the KHRC and Churchill Downs for listening and considering our point of view and we are grateful for the changes and clarity that Hisa offers to our sport.”
April 2024-Caballo Trained with Baffert not eligible for the 150º Kentucky Derby
This point of view shows the horse’s chair fabric of coach Bob Baffert during morning workouts for Pimlico’s appetizers in Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 12, 2021. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
A judge of the Kentucky Appeals Court denied an appeal of Zedan that sought an emergency relief hearing that would allow the winner of the Arkansas derby, Muth, in the Kentucky derby on May 4.
July 2024 – Baffert takes possession, Churchill Downs elevates the suspension
Baffert issued a statement taking possession of the positive evidence in 2021 and accepting the disciplinary actions of Churchill Downs that followed.
“I am responsible for any substance that is in the horses that I train, and I have paid a very strong price with a three -year suspension and the disqualification of Medina Spirit’s performance,” reads his statement partly. “I understand and appreciate that Churchill Downs and the Kentucky horsepower commission took measures to enforce the rules that they believed were necessary to protect the safety and integrity of horse races and the reputation of the Kentucky derby.”
After taking possession of his actions in the terrible experience, Churchill Downs announced that he had rescinded Baffert’s suspension.
“We are convinced that Mr. Baffert has assumed the responsibility of his actions, has completed a substantial fine and is committed to fully complying with compliance with the rules and regulations in the future,” reads the statement. “All parties agree that it is time to close this chapter and focus on the future. Mr. Baffert is welcome to return to any of the CDI racing races, including our Churchill Downs flagy runway, and we wish him good luck and his connections in his future competitive efforts.”
May 2025 – Baffert Returns
The winner of Wood Memorial, Rodríguez and Citizen Bull, the 2 -year -old champion last year, both horses trained in Baffert, will compete in this year’s Kentucky derby with the present legend.
“It’s one of those things I am tired of talking about it,” he said in an interview with Associated Press. “Three difficult years have passed and I have left it behind.”
