Baffert Suspension

[RUFFIAN]

Churchill Downs Incorporated has suspended Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert for two years—through the conclusion of the 2023 spring meet at Churchill Downs—the Louisville, Ky.-based company announced June 2.

The suspension comes in the wake of news of a failed secondary test on the Baffert-trained Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit , who tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone, a therapeutic medication prohibited on race day in Kentucky.

The split sample ordered by Baffert confirmed the positive, attorneys
representing Baffert and owner Amr Zedan of Zedan Racing Stables
confirmed Wednesday morning.

Adequan
The New York Times first reported news of the split sample result Wednesday, which BloodHorse confirmed with Baffert's attorney, W. Craig Robertson III.

In announcing its ban, CDI questioned Baffert's recent record which includes five of his horses failing drug tests since May 2, 2020.