Medina Spirit appeal will be heard by Ky. commission in April

Frankfort, Ky.

The hearing for Bob Baffert’s appeal to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission of his 90-day suspension and the late Medina Spirit’s disqualification from the 2021 Kentucky Derby will begin on April 18. The date was revealed by attorneys for Baffert and the KHRC on Thursday during a Franklin Circuit Court hearing over the trainer’s request for a stay of the suspension.

Baffert’s attorney Craig Robertson confirmed the date after the court session. Robertson said that after the April hearing, which could take up to four days, a hearing officer will have 60 days to make a recommendation.

The full KHRC will then decide whether to adopt the recommendations. Jennifer Wolsing, attorney for the KRHC, told the court that the commission will have another 60 days after the officer issues recommendations to make a final ruling.

"Then there would be multiple appeals," Wolsing said. "To the circuit court, court of appeals, potentially Supreme Court."

A representative for the KHRC said the April hearing will be open to the public.

Attorneys for both Baffert and the KHRC as well as Medina Spirit’s owner Amr Zedan presented their sides to judge Thomas Wingate on Thursday. The hearing came after KHRC executive director Marc Guilfoil denied Baffert a stay of his suspension. The trainer then filed a complaint asking the court to enforce a stay while the appeals process plays out.