Here we go again again

[cal828]

https://www.cbssports.com/general/ne...ert-suspended/

It's deja vu all over again.

[RUFFIAN]

.

Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit has tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone, and faces possible disqualification from the May 1 race at Churchill Downs, Bob Baffert announced May 9.

Baffert said Medina Spirit tested positive for 21 picograms of betamethasone—information that was relayed to him Friday by his assistant, Jimmy Barnes, who was served by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Betamethasone is a Class C drug that is allowed in Kentucky as a therapeutic.
However, state rules require at least a 14-day withdrawal time and any level of detection on race day is a violation.
The threshold was changed to zero from 10 picograms in August.

A split sample test will be requested by Baffert, who said he also independently arranged for DNA testing and hair follicle testing of Medina Spirit to confirm the positive test was not from a different horse. If the split sample confirms the original positive, a hearing will be held.

"I'm going to fight it tooth and nail because I owe it to the horse, I owe it to the owner, and I owe it to our industry," Baffert said.

"All I can tell you is that betamethasone even though it is an allowed drug, a therapeutic medication,
we did not give it. ... In fact, Medina Spirit has never been treated with betamethasone.

"Yesterday I got the biggest gut punch in racing for something that I didn't do. It's disturbing.

It's an injustice to the horse. … I don't know what's going on in racing right now, but there's something not right.

I don't feel embarrassed, I feel like I was wronged.

[RUFFIAN]

The post position draw for the 146th Preakness Stakes (G1) will now be held May 11 at approximately 4 p.m. ET at Pimlico Race Course, according to an announcement made May 9 by track owner The Stronach Group.

The draw for the second jewel in the Triple Crown was originally scheduled for May 10. News of the delay comes after the announcement Sunday that Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test and was found to be positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone, facing possible disqualification from the May 1 race at Churchill Downs.

[JolyB]

It's difficult to believe that Maryland Jockey Club would want to deny the entry of the horse who is currently the Derby winner since no disqualification has yet occurred and I don't think that the test results of the second split will be available for at least a couple of weeks. The skeptic in me thinks they are just going through the motions before allowing the entry. Besides if the issue is a trainer violation, how in the world could they deny the entry of Medina Spirit and still allow Concert Tour to run?

[RUFFIAN]

CONCERT TOUR
IS NOT UNDER INVESTIGATION ?

IMHO
I personally do NOT believe Baffert did this

Possible Vendetta by someone who dislikes him

Someone trying to influence outcome

BAFFERT is too smart, too much to Lose
To do something like this
KNOWING THE WINNER IS TESTED AFTER THE RACE!

[cal828]

I'm thinking they will allow the entry of Medina Spirit, but probably under Baffert's assistant trainer. It may be that the powers that be at Pimlico will feel obliged to honor the suspension by Churchill of Baffert, but the horse didn't have any part in this except to be the recipient of the drug, so no reason to punish him.

As for whether Baffert actually did this or not, he had the positive with Justify and two in Arkansas and now this. I thought he was lucky to get away with the Arkansas positives, but the Arkansas Racing commission over ruled Oaklawn because of some mix-up in the chain of custody for the samples that tested positive for the offending drugs. I grant you though, you would have to have brass cajones to think you were going to get away with this sort of thing in what is the most important horse race on dirt in America.

[DonGuido]

I don't believe Baffert did it either. He's been under fire before and smeared. He's too smart, even if he wanted to or felt he needed to, to get caught again with his hand near the cookie jar . . . not in it but near it. Somebody doesn't like hearing his name in the winner's circle for big races. They need video cameras in the barns especially for big GI races. Can't believe they don't have them, maybe they do???

Something smells in "Denmark".

[RUFFIAN]

DON
GMTA ... YOU EXACTLY ECHOED MY THOUGHTS ON BAFFERT

He has been around horses most of his life
He has made a name for himself in the record books, a legend

The man is not stupid
so why would he even take a chance of doing something
That would affect his reputation, his livelihood and his life?

In my opinion the answer is HE WOULD NOT

I have the feeling that somebody who doesn’t like him for whatever reason
Has been doing things all along to get him in trouble and ruin him

I can only hope that his name and reputation will remain untarnished

[Roamin42]

In 1968 Dancer's image won and was disqualified for having phenylbutazone and Forward Pass was awarded the victory.

[Plenilune]

Originally Posted by DonGuido

I don't believe Baffert did it either. He's been under fire before and smeared. He's too smart, even if he wanted to or felt he needed to, to get caught again with his hand near the cookie jar . . . not in it but near it. Somebody doesn't like hearing his name in the winner's circle for big races. They need video cameras in the barns especially for big GI races. Can't believe they don't have them, maybe they do???

Something smells in "Denmark".

This is from an asst starter at CD:

"Some trainers have installed cameras. Every Oaks and Derby horse has a sheriff deputy assigned them 24/7 when they arrive on the grounds. Anybody going near the horse must be signed in and out, including groom, exercise rider, hot walker etc. The deputies even walk over when they school in the paddock and escort them to the track when they train. It’s been standard procedure for at least 20 years (probably longer)."

https://twitter.com/derbycaddy/statu...52783460020236

[JolyB]

A number of posts have suggested that Baffert is a victim of those who are jealous of his success. That is a possible explanation, but the positive tests have been at different tracks with different horses. His name just seems to pop up more frequently than other trainers for medication issues, even compared to those with larger stables. The hearings have often been resolved on procedural grounds or let him off with a slap on the wrist with explanations that always blame someone or something else.

All of that may be correct, but it may also be true that Mr. Baffert sails closer to the wind in his use of medication and sometimes miscalculates how long it will take for a medication used in training to clear a horse's system. The rules are so complex and the ability to measure in minute amounts is so precise that any use of certain medications for training carries a high risk of detection.

The current rush to judgment one way or the other seems wrong. I would rather wait until all of the facts are in and tests completed before either condemming him or concluding he is as pure as driven snow.

[cal828]

Well said Joly. I agree with all that. Baffert no less than anyone else deserves his day in court and not in the court of public opinion. I personally hope he prevails because obviously it's not in the best interest of racing for him to be found out to be just another cheater. He and his horses have no doubt caused a lot of positive interest in the sport, but all that can and will be undone, if things go against him, but let the chips fall where they may. On the face of it though, I doubt that this will work out to anyone's satisfaction. This seems a far different situation than that of Servis and Navarro who were wire tapped and pretty much caught in the act. In this case, I can see the lawyers getting involved and doing what lawyers do which is obfuscating everything.

[RUFFIAN]

(JOLY)
“... positive tests have been at different tracks with different horses. His name just seems to pop up more frequently than other trainers ...”

IF BAFFERT CAN TRAVEL TO DIFFERENT TRACKS
WHY COULDNT SOMEONE ELSE ALSO

OR
SOMEONE ON SAME “CIRCUIT “

OR
SOMEONE WANTING TO MAKE ON A HORSE

I just find it difficult to Accept the fact that somebody who’s been around
as long as he has, Breaking as many records
making a name in the record books,

That he would be FOOLISH enough to be involved with medication
Knowing that all winners are tested following a race

This man is no dummy

[Real Quiet]

There are a number of people abundantly blessed with talent that wanted more than their natural ability provided them. The excuse "why would they have to
cheat" will forever go unanswered.

[RUFFIAN]

PER L A TIMES

Does the Baffert defense sound plausible?

It’s pretty specific and something that can be backed up with records. It’s one thing to say the metabolite didn’t process through the system fast enough and another to say the horse was never administered the drug.

His defense is the most provable with paperwork and his attorney, Craig Robertson, is top shelf.

Could the drug have helped Medina Spirit win the Derby?

In short, no. It’s a drug that used to alleviate joint pain,
it’s not a performance enhancer.

Is 21 picograms a lot?
A picogram is a trillionth of a gram. I don’t even know how small a gram is, never mind a trillionth. The allowable limit in Kentucky is 10 picograms.

The KHRC says 14 days is the amount of time to get betamethasone out of a horse’s system.

But, in this case, Baffert says the horse was never administered this drug.

What about Baffert’s other medication penalties last year?

First, let me explain why I used the word medication instead of drugs.
In all cases, the prohibitive substances were legal and not considered performance enhancing.

Taking each case individually, the explanations seem to be plausible, a conclusion backed up by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

But, the collective weight of all the violations begs the question if the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Clearly, the perception Baffert is dealing with is yes.

[cal828]

^^^

Sorry, but I don't think the author of that article from the LA Times is all that convincing. Records don't necessarily prove anything because they only reflect what people put in them and can be faked. Also, saying the drugs are not performance enhancing seems a bit wrong. The drug given might not make the horse run faster as a stimulant would, but would the horse perform better, if he wasn't in pain?