Bob Baffert | Heritage Sports

May

Other Than Medina Spirit, Oaks, Derby Day Horses Clear

While the racing world awaits split sample testing and results for Medina Spirit , all of the other horses tested from this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Derby day cards at Churchill Downs have passed preliminary testing. According to experts, the fact that all other horses passed their post-race test reduces the likelihood that contamination factored in the post-race finding of would-be Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit. That triumph is in question, pending testing of the split sample, as trainer Bob Baffert revealed May 9 that Medina Spirit tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone in the initial post-race test. Based on […]

May

Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit suspended from Belmont Stakes: ‘In the best interests’ of horse racing

The New York Racing Association stated on Monday that it’s suspending trainer Bob Baffert from entering or stalling any horses at its tracks. That means Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit won’t be permitted to run at the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The NYRA announced its decision as Derby host Churchill Downs awaits the results of a second drug test after Medina Spirit tested positive for banned steroid betamethasone. Baffert originally denied that he used betamethasone improperly on Medina Spirit, blaming “cancel culture” and floating a theory that the horse ate hay tainted by human urine instead. Baffert admitted days […]

May

Horse racing-Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit fails drug test

Trainer Bob Baffert, who won a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit this month, on Sunday said the dark bay colt had failed a drug test. Baffert said a post-race sample provided by Medina Spirit had tested positive for 21 picograms of the anti-inflammatory drug betamethasone, over the legal limit in Kentucky racing. Medina Spirit, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, had secured a half-length triumph over Mandaloun in the 19-horse Kentucky Derby on May 1. Baffert’s camp were informed of the news by Kentucky officials on Saturday, but the 68-year-old denied giving the horse illegal substances and said the […]

March

Baffert has his first Florida Derby starter in Spielberg

A mix of talent, opportunity and timing has produced Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s first venture to Gulfstream Park for the Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby (G1). Baffert, the most successful trainer in Triple Crown history, will make his debut Saturday in Gulfstream Park’s steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby with Spielberg, a chestnut son of Union Rags. Spielberg, who will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano in the 70th Florida Derby, won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 19. In his most fresh start, Spielberg concluded second to Essential Quality, the 2020 2-year-old male champion, in the Southwest (G3) on […]

February

Medina Spirits wins Robert Lewis

In a performance even possibly more surreal than Authentic ‘s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) triumph, Medina Spirit upstaged Bob Baffert’s newly-minted Horse of the Year Jan. 30, staring defeat in the eye down the homestretch and refusing to blink, holding off two pursuers through the last quarter-mile to gain the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in a stretch run for the ages at Santa Anita Park. Even Baffert thought he wasn’t going to win after Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie hooked pacesetting Medina Spirit at the head of the stretch. As it was, Medina Spirit—who led virtually from the beginning after breaking from the rail—prevailed […]

December

CHARLATAN VS. NASHVILLE IN GRADE I RUNHAPPY MALIBU

Charlatan, one in a battalion of bluebloods based in Bob Baffert’s bountiful barn, faces off versus Nashville in the Grade I Runhappy Malibu Stakes on opening day, Saturday, Dec. 26, the marquee event as historic Santa Anita ushers in its 84th season of world-class racing. This year’s Malibu is arguably one of the most anticipated in the classic event’s 70 runnings, pitting two extremely talented sons of 2004 Eclipse Award champion male sprinter Speightstown versus one another. The Malibu has been won in the past by a Who’s Who of Thoroughbreds, among them Runhappy (2015), Ferdinand (1986), Precisionist (1984), Spectacular Bid […]

November

Authentic Retired, To Stand For $75,000 At Spendthrift

Authentic, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and G1 Kentucky Derby winner has been retired to B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, KY where he will stand in 2021 for a fee of $75,000 S&N. “Authentic is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of horse, and Mr. Hughes is very proud that we are able to share him with 5,300-plus MyRacehorse owners through what has been an incredible run. That alone made this decision different and very difficult. Ultimately, we just felt there wasn’t a lot more to accomplish for a Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, so we have made the decision […]

August

Thousand Words pulls upset to win Shared Belief at Del Mar

Thousand Words upset 1-5 favorite Honor A. P. by three-quarters of a length in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar last Saturday, giving trainer Bob Baffert another candidate for next month’s Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Thousand Words ran 1 1/16 miles in 1 minute, 43.85 seconds and paid $20.40 and $3.40 at 9-1 odds. The colt earned 50 qualifying points for the Derby, which was postponed until Labor Day weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic. Baffert stated Thousand Words has perked up since coming from Los Angeles to the seaside track north of San Diego. “The real […]

July

Maximum Security wins at Del Mar in first start for new trainer Bob Baffert

Maximum Security won the $150,000 San Diego Handicap by a nose after a photo finish at Del Mar on Saturday, his first start in five months for new trainer Bob Baffert. Under new rider Abel Cedillo, Maximum Security caught pacesetter Midcourt at the top of the stretch and outlasted him to the wire. “That was crazy,” Baffert said. “He won today when he had every reason to get beat. He showed what a great horse he is. He’s such a fighter. I’m glad we got this over with and now he’s in good shape.” Maximum Security ran 1 1/16 miles […]

May

Belmont Stakes Contender Charlatan Reportedly Fails Drug Test

Belmont Stakes contender and unbeaten Charlatan was reportedly one of two horses trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert that tested positive for a banned substance. Joe Drape of the New York Times reported the news, noting Charlatan and his stablemate Gamine tested positive for lidocaine at a meet at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. Charlatan won a division of the Arkansas Derby on May 2 and figured to challenge for another win at the Belmont Stakes. Gamine also won a race at Oaklawn Park on May 2. The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) shared Baffert’s written statement: “The rules of the Arkansas Racing Commission mandate confidentiality concerning […]

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