Will Bob Baffert Get to Participate in Kentucky Derby Next Year?

For fans of iconic horse trainer Bob Baffert, recent weeks have been nothing short of baffling. Only hours ago, the veteran figure in the country’s horse racing community was denied by the court to appear for his forty-seventh Kentucky Derby. While his absence at the 150th edition of the prestigious race will be sorely missed, it would be quite absurd to say that it wasn’t expected to some degree.

Baffert’s heavyweight client Amr Zedan went all in trying to get an injunction on Bob’s suspension order by the Kentucky Derby authorities. Zedan’s horse Muth is one of the greatest products from Baffert’s stable, and yet, his plea being denied by the court has created quite a ripple across the nation. Now that his fate is clear, speculations about him making his way to Churchill Downs next year have sparked immediately.

The Kentucky Derby leaves a sour taste in Bob Baffert’s mouth

Bob Baffert has had a turbulent year, to say the least. With his suspension order being extended for an additional 1.5 years, all the way through 2024, he was already cornered. On top of that, only last month, Baffert was directed to pay a hefty fine of $700,000 after Justify’s 2018 Santa Anita Derby win was nullified over investigations of a failed post-race drug test. Justify’s fate was the latest blow to Baffert after Medina Spirit’s 2021 Kentucky Derby win got canceled over a lawsuit filed by Mick Ruis. However, that didn’t stop Baffert from trying everything in his power to qualify for this year’s race. And yet, the CDI refused to cede any ground.

The happenings of the latest hearing from last night were updated at regular intervals by the LegendBetsNewsLetter on social media. As per the post, the CDI seemed to maintain that their decision was the final say on the matter and they wouldn’t comply with any infringement against their rules.

“CDI says KHRC isn’t even looking into this, just a CDI issue. CDI maintains they set the rules, don’t like em, we’ll ban you too.“, the Churchill Downs sounded blunt about their stance on the Bob Baffert issue. But they also had their reason to keep going at it with determination.

Baffert’s options were limited

During the hearing, the CDI claimed that if Baffert’s appeal was made last July, things could have been different. The change in the rules was implemented in January, and Baffert & Co. should have kept it in mind. “CDI claims if this was Super Bowl rules wouldnt change for Cowboys to play in game last minute“, parallels were drawn and Baffert’s client had to back down. “CDI moved rules to January to prevent last minute transfers before Derby“, it was elaborated further.

However, despite the odds stacked against him, Baffert showed true grit and the mentality of a fighter. Entering this year’s Santa Anita Derby, Baffert once again qualified for the Kentucky Derby with Imagination finishing second. However, the qualification was still denied and now it waits to be seen if Baffert’s 2025 turns out any better.