The world of horse racing has always been diverse and competitive. Yet despite it all, Bob Baffert has always held his position as a titan of the equestrian community, effortlessly. Not only does he boast a resume with six Kentucky Derby victories under his belt, but the Hall of Famer has also bagged several Triple Crown wins. In fact, numerous prominent owners worldwide have their horses trained by him, one of them being Amr Zedan. Unfortunately, his successful career faced a minor bump back in 2021. Why, you ask?

Baffert’s horse, Medina Spirit, bagged a triumphant win at the Kentucky Derby. However, the thoroughbred was then disqualified and stripped of his title due to testing positive for a banned substance. As a result, Baffert was banned from entering horses at the event for two years after the controversy. Churchill Downs Incorporated then extended the ban by an additional 1.5 years through 2024. Although, according to recent news, something has changed… and guess what it is?

Bob Baffert will make a stellar comeback to the track

It has been more than three years since Bob Baffert entered a horse competition. But that time has finally arrived. On November 27, Zedan Racing Stables’ Barnes will debut in the seventh race at Churchill Downs. The $3.2 million colt was purchased by Amr Zedan from Fasig-Tipton’s The Saratoga Sale in 2023. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Into Mischief will face other 2-year-olds in the 5 1/2-furlong $120,000 maiden race.

Bred in Kentucky by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, the colt is named in honor of Baffert’s longtime assistant, Jimmy Barnes. The 71-year-old believes that distance could help the thoroughbred clinch a victory. But since he has been unraced all this while, it will be interesting to watch how he handles the ship and runs the first time out. However, Barnes isn’t the only horse the Titan trains. Citizen Bull, another one of his proteges, recently won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, catapulting him as a 2025 Kentucky Derby hopeful. What happened to the Churchill Downs suspension though? 

The Triple Crown-winning trainer was banned by the CDI due to a subsequent lawsuit from 2018. In fact, the Kentucky Horse Racing Association fined Bob Baffert $7,500 and a 90-day suspension. However, they rescinded the suspension, letting the Titan make his 47th appearance at the Kentucky Derby next year. Shortly after, the 71-year-old decided to clear his name from the allegations made, stating that he accepted responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive test during the 2021 Kentucky Derby. 

Despite it all, he clarified that there was no bad blood, given the circumstances. He understood that it was essential to maintain the integrity of horse racing. Baffert also looked forward to chasing glory once again. All he wanted to do was put this behind him and race at Churchill Downs. However, this entire experience felt like a whirlwind for the towering figure, and he wasn’t the only one going through a difficult time. 

Amr Zedan took a massive hit from the suspension as well

Bob Baffert looked forward to entering the 150th Kentucky Derby earlier this year. But the CDI suspension crushed those hopes. However, one of his clients, Amr Zedan, wasn’t too keen on this and filed a lawsuit to overturn his suspension. What did the lawsuit entail, you ask? It asked to allow horses trained by the Titan, especially those owned by Zedan, to participate in the Kentucky Derby, which we now know didn’t happen.

In fact, Zedan’s attorneys reiterated that he had invested $10.7 million in purchasing six horses to enter the Derby with Baffert’s training. One of the colts, Muth, even won the Arkansas Derby, which ideally would have earned him 100 qualifying points for the race. But here’s where the issue lies. He was trained by the 71-year-old. As a result, the colt didn’t receive those points. If the suspension didn’t hold, he would have been a part of the Kentucky Derby.

What did Bob Baffert think of the lawsuit? According to him, all he wanted was for his horses to run at Churchill Downs. As for the lawsuit against his extended suspension, Zedan’s lawyers believed it lacked a legal basis and accused CDI of unfairly targeting the Titan. Amr Zedan even reiterated that he did not wish to file the lawsuit, given how he has admired the Kentucky Derby.

Unfortunately, he believed that Baffert was one of the most legendary trainers in the sport, and the CDI had a vindictive personal vendetta against him. This went against everything Zedan considered about the horse racing industry. Since the suspension wasn’t rescinded before the Derby, the millions he invested were all for nothing. But the 71-year-old will be back stronger than ever at the Churchill Downs on November 27. Will you be watching?