Bob Baffert’s 3-year suspension is lifted by Churchill Downs

More than three years after he was suspended for Medina Spirit’s positive drug test following the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was reinstated Friday by Churchill Downs Inc., paving the way for his return next year to America’s biggest race.

“Churchill Downs Inc. announced today that the suspension of Bob Baffert from racetracks owned and operated by the company is rescinded effective immediately,” the company said in an X post Friday at 4:59 p.m. EDT.

“We are satisfied that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a substantial penalty and is committed to running in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward,” Churchill CEO Bill Carstanjen said in a written statement. “All parties agree that it is time to bring this chapter to a close and focus on the future. Mr. Baffert is welcome to return to any of CDI’s racetracks, including our flagship Churchill Downs racetrack, and we wish him and his connections good luck in their future competitive endeavors.”

Baffert issued a written statement of contrition that was posted on X at 4:45 p.m. EDT and included in Friday’s news release from CDI.

“I accept responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive test in the 2021 Kentucky Derby,” he said. “I am responsible for any substance found in the horses that I train, and I have paid a very steep price with a three-year suspension and the disqualification of Medina Spirit's performance. I understand and appreciate that Churchill Downs and the (former) Kentucky Horse Racing Commission took steps to enforce the rules that they believed were necessary to protect the safety and integrity of horse racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby. My family and I want to put this behind us and get back to doing what we love to do without any more distraction or negativity. I very much look forward to returning to Churchill Downs and getting back to the winner’s circle.”

Baffert was suspended May 9, 2021, the day he held a news conference at his barn to say Medina Spirit had tested positive for betamethasone. That led to Baffert’s immediate suspension and the colt eventually being disqualified as the winner of the Derby.

CDI’s original suspension of Baffert was set for two years and would have expired the early summer of 2023. Then the company announced it was extending the ban 18 months through the end of 2024. At the time it said it had “continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing (Baffert) poses to CDI-owned racetracks.”

Churchill went on to say last year that Baffert “continues to peddle a false narrative.” That referred to the Hall of Fame trainer’s contention that his team legally used a skin cream that contained betamethasone, a drug that is legal in Kentucky but not on race days. Baffert said the ointment was applied to Medina Spirit under standards established by the KHRC for the drug to get out of the colt’s system before Derby day.

“I am at a loss to understand Churchill Downs’ latest action to suspend me,” Baffert said last summer, adding, “I have been open, honest and forthcoming about these events. I have acknowledged that our treatment led to the positive, and I informed the Kentucky racing commission that we had treated Medina Spirit this way.”

Legal and regulatory fights ensued, most recently in April when Zedan Racing Stables tried and failed to get a Kentucky judge to force CDI to admit Baffert and their colt Muth into this year’s Derby. Zedan dropped its damage claims with a notice of voluntary dismissal that was filed Friday in Jefferson Circuit Court.

Medina Spirit, who suffered a fatal seizure right after a December 2021 breeze at Santa Anita, would have been Baffert’s seventh Derby winner.