Seven-time Kentucky Derby-winning Bob Baffert will be allowed to compete in the 2021 Breeders' Cup, but the horses will be under intense scrutiny. All of Baffert's horses will be required to undergo enhanced out-of-competition testing as well as pre-race and post-race testing. This will be in addition to other protocols in order to participate. This is all in an effort "to provide a more targeted layer of accountability," according to a statement from the Breeders' Cup. Baffert trained the 2020 Kentucky Derby champion Medina Spirit, who failed a drug test.Since then, Baffert has faced a roller coaster of consequences including being suspended from the New York Racing Association after which he sued to be reinstated. A New York federal judge eventually overturned the NYRA's ruling. Then, on Sept. 10, the New York Racing Association charged Bob Baffert with detrimental conduct and scheduled a hearing for him to respond to those allegations.More on that: NYRA charges Baffert with detrimental conductThat all followed Churchill Downs suspending Baffert from competition at the home of the Derby for a period of two years. "Mr. Baffert’s record of testing failures threatens public confidence in thoroughbred racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby," said Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen at the time. "Given these repeated failures over the last year, including the increasingly extraordinary explanations, we firmly believe that asserting our rights to impose these measures is our duty and responsibility."More on the suspension: Churchill Downs suspends trainer Bob Baffert The Breeder's Cup Championships will take place Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California.
Seven-time Kentucky Derby-winning Bob Baffert will be allowed to compete in the 2021 Breeders' Cup, but the horses will be under intense scrutiny.
All of Baffert's horses will be required to undergo enhanced out-of-competition testing as well as pre-race and post-race testing. This will be in addition to other protocols in order to participate.
This is all in an effort "to provide a more targeted layer of accountability," according to a statement from the Breeders' Cup.
Baffert trained the 2020 Kentucky Derby champion Medina Spirit, who failed a drug test.
Since then, Baffert has faced a roller coaster of consequences including being suspended from the New York Racing Association after which he sued to be reinstated. A New York federal judge eventually overturned the NYRA's ruling.
Then, on Sept. 10, the New York Racing Association charged Bob Baffert with detrimental conduct and scheduled a hearing for him to respond to those allegations.
More on that: NYRA charges Baffert with detrimental conduct
That all followed Churchill Downs suspending Baffert from competition at the home of the Derby for a period of two years.
"Mr. Baffert’s record of testing failures threatens public confidence in thoroughbred racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby," said Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen at the time. "Given these repeated failures over the last year, including the increasingly extraordinary explanations, we firmly believe that asserting our rights to impose these measures is our duty and responsibility."
More on the suspension: Churchill Downs suspends trainer Bob Baffert
The Breeder's Cup Championships will take place Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California.
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